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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt says will launch new mega projects in upcoming budget
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah convened cabinet meeting with ministers, advisors, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and relevant secretaries to deliberate on the province's budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, a statement from the CM House said on Saturday. The meeting underscored the government's commitment to inclusive development, poverty alleviation, and sustainable progress in line with the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, it added. Opening the session, Murad Shah said, 'I want to engage all cabinet members thoroughly in shaping the next budget to ensure it addresses the real needs of our people.' Cash withdrawals from banks: FBR proposes raise in WHT for non-filers The CM outlined the core focus areas of the new budget, emphasising water supply and drainage, solar energy expansion, education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial growth. 'This year ((2024-25), we have not introduced any new schemes under the priority to complete ongoing projects,' he said. For the upcoming budget, he added, Bilawal Bhutto has issued instructions for launching new initiatives that 'bring tangible benefits to the people'. As per the CM House, the important highlights from the meeting included continued rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected communities, repair of schools and hospitals, and launching new mega projects through Public-Private Partnerships to boost infrastructure and services, strengthening social protection programmes aimed at eradicating poverty and increasing budget allocations for repair and maintenance, as well as upgrading hospital equipment and completion of transport projects in Karachi to improve urban mobility. Proposals given by the cabinet members included reducing non-development expenditures and empowering local governments to become financially self-reliant, introducing digital cash transfers with incentives to enhance social welfare delivery, expanding solid waste management and solar energy systems across the province, and constructing new bus stands in multiple districts to improve public transportation. Industrial raw materials: Proposals for duty cuts to be submitted to PM The CM also highlighted the importance of federal-provincial coordination, stating, 'We will finalise the budget based on the federal government's funding commitments (provincial share) and our provincial revenue targets to ensure fiscal responsibility and effectiveness.' 'After Eid, we will hold further meetings to finalise and approve the budget proposals. Our goal is to present a budget that is transparent, development-oriented, and focused on improving the lives of every Sindh resident,' he said.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Out-of-school kids, adolescents: Unicef team, CS discuss 5-year roadmap
KARACHI: A delegation from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Pakistan met with Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, to discuss the province's comprehensive five-year roadmap aimed at tackling the alarming number of out-of-school children and adolescents. The meeting marked a significant milestone in Sindh's commitment to implementing the national Education Emergency declared in May 2024, and finalizing its Multi-Sectoral Roadmap for Out-of-School Children and Adolescents for the period of July 2025 to June 2030. During the session, the Chief Secretary and UNICEF delegation reviewed the roadmap's strategic objectives, which aim to reduce the number of out-of-school children and adolescents in Sindh by 50 percent over the next five years. The roadmap identifies and addresses the range of structural, socio-economic, and cultural barriers that hinder access to education. The roadmap has been developed through collaborative input from multiple departments, including School Education, Health, Social Welfare, Local Government, Finance, Planning and Development, Public Health Engineering, and the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD). It adopts a comprehensive life-cycle approach, linking education with healthcare, nutrition, child protection, and social services— beginning from maternal and prenatal care and extending through early childhood to adolescence and employability. Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah reaffirmed the provincial government's unwavering commitment to the roadmap and highlighted the need for cross-sectoral leadership and integration to achieve sustainable results. Speaking on the multifaceted nature of the issue, he stated: 'The crisis of out-of-school children is not solely an education issue—it is, in fact, a deeply rooted, multi-sectoral challenge that begins even before a child is born. It starts with the health and nutrition of the mother, continues with timely birth registration, and is influenced by poverty, social norms, child protection, and access to basic services. When a child is not in school, it often reflects systemic gaps across several sectors—healthcare, nutrition, social protection, civil registration, and community support systems. If we are to make meaningful progress, we must look beyond the classroom and adopt a holistic, life-cycle approach that integrates interventions from pre-conception through early childhood to adolescence. This is why the Government of Sindh is committed to treating the out-of-school children agenda not as the responsibility of the Education Department alone, but as a shared provincial priority—demanding unified action across all departments and sectors. Only through collective commitment can we ensure that every child is not only enrolled in school but has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Heritage structure: Sindh govt takes action against demolition
KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has taken decisive action following the unlawful demolition of the heritage structure known as 'Kharas House,' located at Plot No. FT- 4/14, Bath Island Road, Clifton Road, Frere Town Quarters, Karachi. As per details this heritage property, was officially declared protected on March 8, 2018, by the Culture Department of Sindh, had been recognized for its historical and architectural value and was therefore safeguarded under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act. Following an inquiry ordered by Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, the Commissioner Karachi, submitted a comprehensive inquiry report which has brought to light severe irregularities, deliberate violations, and a nexus between government officials and the private owner aimed at the unlawful demolition of the heritage building. The inquiry revealed that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), in a blatant disregard of the law, issued a demolition permit without consulting the Heritage Department, thereby violating mandatory legal procedures. The investigation revealed that SBCA's Technical Committee on Dangerous Buildings initiated the process on January 4, 2024, without the required participation of professional bodies such as PCATP and ABAD. Despite noting that the structure 'seemed to be heritage' and required verification, the SBCA granted demolition permission to the owner, Ms. Dhummai Cowasjee Kanja, on October 18, 2024, without consulting the Culture Department. SBCA later attempted to justify the demolition using a court order from an unrelated case (Suit No. 666 of 2024), a claim the inquiry deemed entirely baseless. The inquiry also noted that key steps were taken post-facto to cover up the illegal act, including a backdated request to the owner for heritage clarification and a sealing order issued in April 2025. Notably, the demolition began during the Eid holidays when government offices were closed, indicating a calculated attempt to evade oversight. It was the Deputy Commissioner South, not SBCA or the Culture Department, who first noticed and attempted to halt the demolition. Meanwhile, SBCA attempted to cover its tracks by cancelling permissions and sending notices only after the demolition had commenced. TCS records confirmed that these notices were issued late, with no timely warning to the Assistant Commissioner, which prevented effective intervention. The report portrays a clear case of misconduct and manipulation, with recommendations for criminal proceedings against responsible SBCA officials and the property owner. In light of these findings and recommendations the Chief Secretary has ordered that criminal cases (FIRs) be immediately registered against Ashfaq Hussain (Director South, SBCA), Agha Kashif (Deputy Director South, SBCA), and Dhummai Cowasjee Kanja (the owner of the property). It has also recommended that the matter be referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for further investigation, and that the named officials be suspended with immediate effect to ensure transparency and impartiality in the inquiry. The entire matter was also brought to the knowledge of the Chief Minister Sindh, who reviewed the findings of the inquiry and fully endorsed the actions taken against the responsible officers. The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the unlawful demolition of a protected heritage site and emphasized the need for strict accountability and reiterated the government's firm stance on the protection of Sindh's cultural heritage. Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, has also instructed the Culture Department to immediately begin a citywide survey and mapping of all declared heritage buildings in Karachi. The Chief Secretary also directed that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against the Deputy Director (Heritage), Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, under the applicable Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules, for failure to discharge duties and prevent the illegal demolition. The Chief Secretary emphasized that any individual found involved in endangering or destroying the cultural heritage of Sindh would face severe legal and administrative consequences. It is important to mention that on April 23, 2025, shortly after the demolition came to light, the Chief Secretary had expressed serious concern over the matter and directed the Commissioner Karachi to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report. The government is committed to preserving the cultural and architectural legacy of Sindh and will ensure that justice is served in the Kharas House case. This incident serves as a stern warning to all individuals and officials who may attempt similar violations in the future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Province-wide heatwave relief camps launched
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has directed to establish heatwave relief camps and initiate comprehensive precautionary measures to protect citizens from the effects of extreme weather. Following reports of soaring temperatures - with Shaheed Benazirabad recording 47 degrees Celsius, Jacobabad 46 degrees Celsius, Hyderabad 43 degrees Celsius, Karachi 35 degrees Celsius, and several other districts also experiencing intense heat conditions - the provincial administration has decided to implement emergency responses.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Hold CCI meeting for Cholistan canal'
Several months of protests, engulfing every nook and corner of Sindh, have eventually compelled the provincial government to write a letter for convening the much delayed meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss the burning issue of canals construction. The Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah in a letter last week not only sought a meeting of the CCI but also called for 'nullifying' the Water Availability Certificate issued by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for Cholistan canal. "The Sindh province has serious reservations about the grant of the certificate by IRSA ... as the matter doesn't fall under the purview of the Water Apportionment Accord, 1991, hence beyond the scope of IRSA," he wrote. "It has become a proven fact that currently all provinces are suffering acute water scarcity." He pointed out that Sindh being the lower riparian province endures over 50 per cent water shortage during early Kharif sowing seasons. He referred to the data of IRSA itself which calculated a 16.6 per cent water shortfall across the country. "... data clearly indicates that sufficient water isn't available in the system, therefore, issuance of the certificate for new canals is unjustifiable." The CS referred to para 14 (d) of the 1991 accord to contend that while a province can 'modify' the water share among existing canals, new canal systems can not be built. According to him, Punjab already possessed the irrigation network capacity to draw water from the Indus River beyond its authorised share. The CS argued that the said allocations can never be ascertained as per the accord until and unless release of the river water towards the sea in downstream Kotri barrage are finalised. As a consequence, the river downstream Kotri remains dry during most parts of the year, destroying the Indus delta. "The new canal system can't be designed on flood flows as these are uncertain," Shah contended. He compared water discharge figures from 1976 to 1998 and from 1999 to 2022 to point out that the average annual discharge in the downstream Kotri towards the sea reduced by 26.67 MAF. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, in its meeting on February 7, 2024, had made it mandatory to seek approval from the CCI among the provinces for the irrigation projects being constructed under the Development of National Irrigation Network for Green Pakistan Initiative. "The decision of the IRSA for issuance of the NOC prior to the provinces' consensus on the project and approval by the CCI is against the spirit of the decision of ECNEC as well."
