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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Opp lambasts budget as debate continues
The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed heated discussions as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle debated the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. Officiated by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony, the session saw 29 MPAs voicing their opinions, bringing the total number of participants over three days to 84, with more expected to speak on Thursday. Provincial Minister Syed Zulfikar Shah opened the debate, outlining the achievements of the Culture and Tourism Department, including development projects on Gorakh Hill, training programs for emerging artistes, and the digitalisation of the Sindhi language. He also referred to the plans to establish a dedicated colony for writers and poets. PPP MPA Mehmood Alam Jamoot heaped praise on Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for presenting a "pro-people" budget and called for the introduction of a boat ambulance service to aid fishermen. Meanwhile, PPP's Qasim Siraj Soomro defended the budget, stating it reflected the government's commitment to development, citing progress on 56 small dams in Thar, new schools, and reverse osmosis (RO) plants. The opposition, however, launched a scathing critique, accusing the government of ignoring Karachi and failing to deliver basic services. MQM's Farhan Ansari lamented the lack of electricity, water, and road infrastructure in his Gulshan-e-Iqbal constituency.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos' Luang Prabang surges past tourism goals with over 1.1 million visitors, fuelling economic growth
VIENTIANE (Loatian Times): Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating US$584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 per cent increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year. Between January and March, the province welcomed 1,167,581 visitors, including 459,091 domestic travellers and 708,490 international tourists. This represents a significant increase of 722,679 visitors year-over-year, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department. In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of over 2.3 million tourists, far exceeding its original target of 900,000. This influx played a key role in driving the province's GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately US$183 million), with an average income of US$1,897 per person. The province continues to focus on development in key areas such as education, infrastructure, and tourism. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the province, a meeting was held on April 21 at the Luang Prabang Military Command to address the shortage of teachers and improve educational outcomes. The session focused on identifying key challenges in human resource development and exploring practical solutions to support workforce growth across multiple sectors. In February, Luang Prabang was officially declared a 'poverty-free' and 'comprehensively strong' city, reflecting significant strides in regional development. -- Laotian Times
