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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
CM Sindh chairs joint session on Sindh budget planning
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a joint meeting of the Finance and Planning & Development (P&D) departments on Wednesday to finalise proposals for the upcoming fiscal year's budget. The meeting, held on a public holiday, was attended by Minister for Planning and Development Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, and senior officials. 'The meeting of P&D and Finance departments has been called on a holiday today,' Murad noted, adding that the aim was to finalise the next financial year's budget at the earliest. 'I want most of the proposals to be finalised before Eid,' he said, stressing that the budget should serve the public interest. Read More: Upcoming budget to feature 'bold measures': Aurangzeb Nasir informed the meeting that of the 4,644 ongoing development schemes, 1,812 were expected to be completed this year. The chief minister instructed that funds for these near-complete projects be released without delay. New development schemes have also been proposed by departments, with a significant number originating from local-level initiatives, according to the planning minister. 'Shortlist the proposals for new schemes and present them in the next meeting,' the chief minister directed. Read More: New motorway proposed to segregate port traffic 'We will review funds separately in a separate meeting and finalise new schemes,' he added. Highlighting past performance, Murad noted, 'In the fiscal year 2023-24, the Sindh government launched 1,937 new schemes worth 88.3 billion rupees.' 'Most of the 1,937 schemes will now be completed,' he said, adding that provincial revenue figures for the new fiscal year will become clear in the first week of June. Last week, the federal government assigned the Sindh government the responsibility to establish urology and kidney hospitals in Rawalpindi and Rahim Yar Khan. During a cabinet meeting held at the chief minister's house, Murad informed the cabinet that Rs9 billion had been approved by the centre. The funding covered the establishment of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) facilities in both cities, the reconstruction of flood-affected homes in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the creation of new SZABIST and IBA campuses.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh CM, Aleem discuss key highway projects in province
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Communication Aleem Khan convened an extensive meeting with their respective teams to address outstanding issues, including the construction of the M-6 Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, the opening of the Lyari Expressway (LEW) for heavy traffic, identifying engineering solutions for traffic problems at Sohrab Goth, the completion of the Jamshoro-Sehwan Road, and, additionally, the construction of an extra motorway named M-10 for port traffic directly to Hyderabad. The CM was assisted by Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Minister Works Ali Hassan Zardari, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohoo, and Secretary Local Government Waseem Moazzam. The federal government delegation included Secretary for Communication Ali Sher Mehsud, Chairman NHA Sahibzada Sheharyar, NHA Members Mazhar Shah, Abdul Latif Mahesar, Ramesh Alias, and others. The discussions focused on major infrastructure projects, including the M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, National Highways, Jamshoro-Sehwan Road, Lyari Expressway, and others. Chief Minister Murad Shah emphasised the importance of completing the M-6 Motorway, describing it as essential for maintaining the continuity of the motorway network from Karachi to Peshawar and Lahore. 'Without connecting the Karachi Port to the rest of the country through a motorway, the purpose of this entire network remains unfulfilled.' He expressed disappointment over delays in the M-6 project, despite its approval under the Prime Minister's directives. Federal Minister Aleem Khan acknowledged the necessity of integrating the motorway with Karachi Port, asserting that the entire route must ensure end-to-end connectivity. He informed that the M-6 project has been divided into five sections, with funding for three sections secured, and work on the remaining section ongoing. Aleem Khan stated that the project is being financed by the federal government, commercial banks, and some sections on a PPP basis. In response, the Chief Minister raised concerns about potential delays in the M-6 due to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) complications. He offered bridge financing of Rs. 40 to 50 billion from the Sindh government to expedite the project. 'We want immediate commencement of work on M-6.' The federal minister assured the CM that work would start in September. The CM and the federal minister agreed to engage their respective teams to assess if there is any need for bridge financing to fast track the M-6. They also discussed the Jamshoro-Sehwan, a 66-kilometre industrial highway, not yet completed by NHA despite the payment of Rs7 billion in 2017. Aleem Khan stated that the 66-km Sehwan to Manjhad road has been completed, while work on the 24-kilometre stretch from Manjhad to Khanot has already been commenced. He commented. The CM remarked that the Lyari Expressway (LEW) was intended to connect the port traffic to the motorway, which has not been realised because the NHA has categorised it as a track for light traffic. The NHA team informed the meeting that a third-party audit had declared the Lyari Expressway unsuitable for heavy traffic. However, they suggested allowing heavy traffic during non-peak hours. Murad Shah highlighted the traffic bottleneck at Sohrab Goth, where local and port traffic from the LEW converge. He proposed constructing a dedicated service road to separate city traffic from the traffic coming from the LEW. The meeting decided to implement an engineering solution to resolve traffic congestion at Sohrab Goth. The meeting also reviewed proposed M-10 New Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway. The planned route will connect the ICI Bridge, KPT, Gulbai, and Hub Chowki directly to Hyderabad. It was decided that full planning for the M-10 project would be carried out to ensure its execution. The motorway is expected to divert heavy and port traffic directly to Hyderabad, alleviating congestion within Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
12 rescued from Katcha robbers' lair
Police entered the dacoit-infested thickets in the riverine area of Sukkur to safely recover 12 kidnapped persons from the lair of most wanted criminal gang after a fierce gun battle. A large-scale operation launched on the directives of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to dismantle criminal networks in the riverine (Katcha) areas, specifically targeting dacoits and hardened criminals, began on May 12. The initiative led to the rescue of 12 kidnapped individuals from their captors. The operation continued into May 13 in the Bagarji Katcha area of Sukkur, where police faced intense resistance. Armed with sophisticated weaponry, including 12.7 mm machine guns, G3 rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), hand grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), the dacoits launched a fierce retaliation. Despite heavy fire, police forces destroyed several hideouts and arrested key suspects during the encounters. The difficult terrain of the Katcha region further complicated the operation. The dacoits had dug trenches to obstruct the movement of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and the dense forest limited police mobility. However, law enforcement pressed forward undeterred. The scale of the operation was considerable. It involved significant personnel and equipment, including five APCs, two from the IG pool, two from Ghotki, and one from Sukkur, as well as surveillance drones providing real-time aerial monitoring. The operation was led by SSP Sukkur Azhar Khan and SSP Khairpur Hassan Sardar and included 100 police personnel, six Station House Officers (SHOs), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs). Among the notable achievements of the operation was the destruction of hideouts belonging to the notorious dacoit Rajab Jatoi. Although Jatoi managed to escape, his base was reportedly reduced to ashes. Six dacoits were injured in the operation, including Salamo Jatoi, cousin of the infamous Kashmir Jatoi, one suspected member of the Teghani gang, and four unidentified members of the Rahimo Phulpoto and Jatoi gangs. The 12 rescued hostages included nine from Khairpur and three from Sukkur. Acting on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, police in Sukkur and Khairpur launched this decisive offensive. "The protection of citizens' lives and property is the top priority of the provincial government, and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated," the chief minister said. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to upholding the rule of law and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Budget meeting for next fiscal year CM Murad has initiated budget meetings to finalise development proposals and allocations for the next financial year. In this regard, two separate meetings of the Finance Department and the Planning and Development Department were held at CM House on Wednesday. These meetings were attended by Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Special Secretary Finance Asghar Memon, and Member P&D Fatah Tunio. The CM stressed on reducing non-development expenditures, increasing allocations for development projects, like K-IV water supply, Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, and transport schemes in Karachi. CM Murad, UNICEF representative meet CM Murad met with UNICEF Representative Abdullah A. Fadil to discuss collaborative development plans. They reviewed the current two-year workplan (2023-2024) covering health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, and other sectors. Key initiatives include, $5.5 million project for maternal, neonatal, and child health services, Rs17.5 million project for improving nutrition and early childhood development, $3.2m program for policy reforms and child protection mechanisms, $7m partnership to reduce out-of-school children and enhance teacher skills, and $16.8m initiative for climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY26: Sindh CM takes step aimed at finalising proposals, allocations
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has begun budget meetings to finalise the development proposals and their allocations for the next financial year and has also made significant decisions by launching an austerity drive to conserve funds for development initiatives. In this regard, two separate meetings of the Finance and Planning & Development departments were held at CM House. These meetings were attended by Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Special Secretary Finance Asghar Memon, and Member P&D Fatah Tunio. The chief minister presiding over a meeting directed the Planning & Development Department to finalise the ADP, stressing that rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure must be prioritised in the upcoming budget. He further instructed that canal and watercourse lining projects should also be included in the new development schemes. Highlighting the importance of agricultural growth, Murad Ali Shah called for schemes that focus on improving agricultural output and productivity. 'It is time to pay special attention to the agricultural sector,' he said. Shah reiterated the government's ongoing commitment to the health sector, emphasising the need to enhance healthcare facilities across the province. On education, he stressed the urgency of upgrading primary schools to the elementary level and giving focused attention to both formal and non-formal education systems. The CM also directed that multiple schemes be introduced for technical and higher education and called for projects that promote sports and healthy activities for youth. The meeting marked a major step in shaping the Sindh government's priorities for the next fiscal year, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, boosting agriculture, improving healthcare and education, and supporting youth development. However, presiding over anther meeting he highlighted the government's efforts to enhance financial resources and expressed optimism that provincial tax collection agencies would meet their targets. Main projects identified for accelerated funding in the new fiscal year include the K-IV water supply project, the Shahrah-e-Bhutto expressway, and ongoing transport schemes in Karachi. The Shahrah-e-Bhutto project, a 38.75-kilometre expressway, is seen as a transformative initiative aimed at improving urban connectivity and reducing congestion. Murad Shah also called for the introduction of new schemes to expand the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and stressed the importance of fiscal prudence. He advocated for cost-saving measures to ensure that savings are redirected towards development activities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget: Sindh CM takes step aimed at finalising proposals, allocations
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has begun budget meetings to finalise the development proposals and their allocations for the next financial year and has also made significant decisions by launching an austerity drive to conserve funds for development initiatives. In this regard, two separate meetings of the Finance and Planning & Development departments were held at CM House. These meetings were attended by Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Special Secretary Finance Asghar Memon, and Member P&D Fatah Tunio. The chief minister presiding over a meeting directed the Planning & Development Department to finalise the ADP, stressing that rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure must be prioritised in the upcoming budget. He further instructed that canal and watercourse lining projects should also be included in the new development schemes. Highlighting the importance of agricultural growth, Murad Ali Shah called for schemes that focus on improving agricultural output and productivity. 'It is time to pay special attention to the agricultural sector,' he said. Shah reiterated the government's ongoing commitment to the health sector, emphasising the need to enhance healthcare facilities across the province. On education, he stressed the urgency of upgrading primary schools to the elementary level and giving focused attention to both formal and non-formal education systems. The CM also directed that multiple schemes be introduced for technical and higher education and called for projects that promote sports and healthy activities for youth. The meeting marked a major step in shaping the Sindh government's priorities for the next fiscal year, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, boosting agriculture, improving healthcare and education, and supporting youth development. However, presiding over anther meeting he highlighted the government's efforts to enhance financial resources and expressed optimism that provincial tax collection agencies would meet their targets. Main projects identified for accelerated funding in the new fiscal year include the K-IV water supply project, the Shahrah-e-Bhutto expressway, and ongoing transport schemes in Karachi. The Shahrah-e-Bhutto project, a 38.75-kilometre expressway, is seen as a transformative initiative aimed at improving urban connectivity and reducing congestion. Murad Shah also called for the introduction of new schemes to expand the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and stressed the importance of fiscal prudence. He advocated for cost-saving measures to ensure that savings are redirected towards development activities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
