Latest news with #NasirShah
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs12bn grant for SSWMB approved
KARACHI: The Cabinet Committee on Finance, under the chairmanship of Energy, Development & Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Interior & Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, held a high-level meeting in the committee room of the Energy Department. During the meeting, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) presented a request for an additional budget for the fiscal year 2024–2025. After thoroughly reviewing the legal aspects of the request, the committee members, in mutual consultation with the provincial ministers, approved a conditional out-of-budget grant of Rs 12 billion for the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. The Energy and Interior Ministers directed the relevant officials of the Solid Waste Board to address all concerns and legal objections raised by the Finance Secretary regarding the grant. The committee also decided that the Solid Waste Management Board will reassess all existing contracts with waste collection contractors, as the rates in Sindh were found to be higher than those in other cities. A proper system will be introduced to accurately measure the weight of garbage removed from the city, and Razor Readers will be installed in all garbage collection vehicles. This will ensure that contractors are paid according to the actual weight of garbage transported, thereby preventing the misuse of public funds. On this occasion, Minister Nasir Shah emphasized the need to further improve the operations of the Solid Waste Management Board to enhance cleanliness and provide relief to the public. He urged officers to utilize their full potential for this purpose. The committee was informed that the Solid Waste Management Board is currently operating in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana, serving a population of approximately 24 million. With increased operations, the board's expenditures have risen to Rs 43 billion. It was further revealed that the board is expecting a revenue of Rs 10 billion from various ongoing projects, which are currently being finalized. Minister Nasir Shah also stressed the importance of ensuring timely payments to waste collection contractors and establishing a transparent mechanism to ensure continuity in cleanliness and waste removal services. It was decided that the Solid Waste Board will renew all contracts within 3 to 6 months. The meeting was also attended by Planning & Development Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Local Government Secretary, and other officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Govt to give away 4,500 scholarships to students from Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Government of Pakistan has decided to award 4,500 scholarships to students from Afghanistan under mega initiative of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced the decision on Friday. As many as 350 Afghan students have reached Pakistan initially to pursue studies in top-tier Pakistani universities across diverse disciplines under the HEC Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships to Afghan Students (Prime Minister's Directives). The HEC held a reception to welcome the students at the HEC Regional Centre, Peshawar. In addition, 50 PhDs and 100 Master's students will also join in September 2025 to pursue their education in Pakistan. The development marks a significant milestone in academic cooperation and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The students will undergo a specially-designed preparatory course before their admission in the fall semester. On their arrival, the students were received by In-charge HEC Regional Centre Peshawar Nasir Shah and Project Director Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme Jehanzeb Khan. Representatives of National University of Technology (NUTECH) Islamabad and National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES-FAST) Faisalabad were also present on the occasion. The Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Afghanistan to deepening educational collaboration with a spirit of Islamic brotherhood and neighbourhood. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Using up to 300 units: Sindh plans solar tax exemption for power consumers
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning, and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, stated that the Sindh Government is making every possible effort to exempt electricity consumers using up to 300 units from the solar tax and is actively engaging with the federal government in this regard. He expressed these views today as the chief guest at the National Environmental Sustainability Conference and Awards Ceremony organized by the Youth Parliament, held at a local hotel. Chairman of Youth Parliament Rizwan Jaffer, Reham Khan, and other dignitaries also addressed the event. In his speech, the Energy Minister emphasized that the use of green energy is the need of the hour, and Sindh has been at the forefront of this initiative. The province is self-sufficient and rich in wind and solar energy resources, and work in this sector is progressing rapidly. Solar panels are being distributed among the most underprivileged and off-grid households in remote areas of Sindh. All these initiatives are being undertaken under the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and the directives of the Chief Minister of Sindh. The Sindh Energy Department is working tirelessly on this front. Nasir Shah stated that while the government is fulfilling its responsibilities towards the country's and the province's development, it is also essential for every individual to contribute their part. Sindh is the only province receiving substantial amounts in foreign dollars as carbon credit from international organizations—thanks to the mangrove plantations initiated along Sindh's coastal belts under the special instructions and interest of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. The plantation of one million mangroves in a single day has also earned a place in the Guinness World Records. He expressed his happiness at the rapid progress of the Youth Parliament due to their dedication and hard work, noting the presence of a full house of youth at the event. He mentioned that the Sindh government wishes to take important legislative steps for the youth in the assemblies, but constitutional and legal barriers are in the way. Nasir Shah also highlighted that major efforts are underway to improve treatment plants and infrastructure in Karachi on a priority basis. He rejected the narrative that Karachi is unliveable, pointing out that people from across the country continue to migrate and settle in the city, unlike Sindh residents, who do not leave for other provinces in the same manner. Since 2013, Karachi and Sindh have not been receiving their fair share from the federal government, which is currently allocating only 2% to 3%—a clear injustice to the province. The Sindh Government, after introducing electric buses, is now planning to distribute electric scooters to working women. Special training and issuance of driving licenses for women are also under consideration. At the end of the ceremony, the Minister for Energy distributed awards. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Rs25bn allocated to provide relief through solarisation: minister
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Development, Energy, and Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, stated that an amount of Rs 25 billion has been allocated in the provincial budget to provide relief to the public through solarisation. He expressed his gratitude to Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Chief Minister Sindh for this initiative. Speaking to journalists at the media corner of the Sindh Assembly, Nasir Shah said that it is Chairman Bilawal Bhutto's vision to provide affordable and free electricity to the people of Sindh. He emphasised that the government is actively working on providing solar panels and implementing solarisation projects, especially for the underprivileged and impoverished communities across the province. The Sindh Energy department is pursuing this effort with full commitment and as a top priority. The minister for Energy and Planning further added that the block budget allocated in the financial plan will be used to implement various public welfare initiatives. Nasir Shah also stated that the ruling party has enough majority in the Assembly and does not need support or votes from others to pass the budget. Commenting on the budget session, he criticised the opposition for disrupting Chief Minister Sindh's speech by approaching the CM's desk, which he described as inappropriate. Despite prior discussions and agreed speaking times with opposition members, such behavior was unjustified. He emphasized that leadership should not be targeted, and the opposition had earlier agreed on this principle. He further stated that elected members of the Assembly are the voice of the people, and through block allocations, schemes based on their suggestions will be included in the budget. Nasir Shah termed the opposition's protest in the assembly as unconventional. He also accused the opposition leader of misrepresenting facts, stating that Ali Khurshidi came to Faryal Talpur, who pointed out that their approach was improper. Nasir Shah reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) serves all communities across Sindh without any discrimination based on race or ethnicity. He added that the people have recognized the PPP's service through their continued support. Special attention is being given to the development of Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh budget on Friday 13th
The government of Sindh announced on Tuesday that the provincial budget for the fiscal 2025-26 will be presented in the Sindh Assembly on Friday, June 13. The development committee approved an outlay of Rs600 billion for 57 provincial departments and autonomous bodies. The budget was finalised during a three-day session chaired by Provincial Minister for Planning and Development, Nasir Shah. According to the outlay, the agriculture department has been allocated Rs13 billion, school education Rs8 billion, forestry Rs4 billion, and the health department Rs51 billion. Meanwhile, the services department was allocated Rs14 billion, transport Rs57 billion, and works and services Rs1 trillion 39 billion. Further, the food department was allocated Rs410 million, human rights Rs130 million, and the information department Rs270 million. Meanwhile, the industry department proposed Rs4 billion, irrigation Rs96 billion, local government Rs13 billion, and planning Rs16 billion, while the social protection department proposed Rs12 billion, the home department Rs11 billion, the energy department Rs9 billion, and the finance department Rs8 billion.
