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Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA budget debate: Treasury dismisses opposition's claims as ‘unfounded'
KARACHI: Treasury ministers in the Sindh Assembly firmly dismissed opposition claims about the 2025–26 fiscal budget as unfounded, using Saturday's session to outline key achievements and unveil future plans for their respective departments. With Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed chairing the budget session that has entered fifth consecutive day, a number of provincial cabinet members and lawmakers actively defended the government's fiscal priorities and highlighted achievements across key sectors including health, irrigation, education, policing and urban development. In her address, Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho highlighted the provincial government's firm commitment to improving public healthcare infrastructure. She revealed that Karachi now boasts 19 fully operational Chest Pain Units, significantly enhancing the city's emergency response capacity. The upcoming fiscal year's budget earmarks Rs1.12 billion for the procurement of advanced CT scan and MRI machines, a move aimed at strengthening diagnostic services across Sindh. The minister also announced a strategic partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital to upgrade Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities in government-run hospitals. Thanks to sustained efforts, the province has seen a noticeable drop in maternal mortality rates during childbirth, while immunization coverage has reached an impressive 90 percent. Updating the House on development work, she said 21 healthcare schemes are currently being executed in Karachi alone. Addressing circulating rumors, Dr. Pechuho categorically denied that the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) was being handed over to any NGO, calling such reports 'completely baseless.' Barbs fly during Sindh assembly budget session Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro criticized opposition lawmakers for not reading the budget documents prior to protesting. 'Had they done so, much of the opposition noise could've been avoided,' he said. Shoro highlighted that Sindh won its case on canal water rights in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's leadership. Recalling urban transformation efforts, Shoro stated: 'When we took over Karachi, it was drowning in garbage. Today, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Gizri, Tariq Road, and the Drigh Road underpass are proof of progress under Murad Ali Shah.' He also cited Hyderabad's new landfill site and Autobahn Road as PPP-led successes. 'Sindh has built 200 dams,' he claimed. 'Yet, despite Pakistan's looming water and climate crisis, the federal government refuses to release funds for the Gaj Dam.' On Sukkur Barrage, Shoro mentioned that 16 gates have been replaced so far — an engineering feat once thought impossible without draining the river. Opposition MPA Iftikhar Alam from MQM criticized the provincial government for neglecting Karachi, likening its treatment to that of a 'stepchild.' He slammed the construction of the Karimabad underpass, calling it unnecessary and built without proper consultation. He also proposed that districts should receive funds through a formula akin to the NFC Award granted by the federal government. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah while extending birthday wishes to late Benazir Bhutto, acknowledged post-flood challenges, admitting that 20,000 schools remain closed while only 5,000 have reopened. However, he rejected claims that 7.8 million children were out of school, stating the number is actually 6.2 million, with 5.5 million currently enrolled in government institutions. An additional 11.5 million students are enrolled in private schools and Madressahs. Sardar detailed plans to set up IT labs in 136 schools, build two new colleges in Karachi, and upgrade all 155 existing public colleges. 'From the next fiscal year, funds for 34,000 schools will go directly to headmasters,' he announced. He also criticized the federal government's Economic Survey, accusing it of misrepresenting Sindh by reusing outdated data. 'Appreciate Punjab if you must, but don't distort Sindh's progress,' he said. Interior and Law Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar provided a granular look at law and order trends. He noted a reduction in street crimes: 7,441 mobile phones were snatched this year, down from previous highs. Car thefts declined from 586 last year to 558 this year, and murder rates have halved—from 2.6 daily deaths to one. Anti-crime efforts included engaging scrap dealers to curb thefts and launching operations against narcotics. Over 8,000 drug peddlers were arrested in Karachi alone. 'We are forming a provincial narcotics force and will set up 10 special drug courts in Karachi,' Lanjar said. On the Safe City project, he reported that 1,300 cameras have been installed, with plans to expand the initiative to Larkana, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. The current police strength stands at 171,000, with all new recruitments conducted on merit. Provincial Minister for Energy and Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah commended the Chief Minister's 'people-friendly' budget. 'This year, we've completed 760 schemes — a national record,' he claimed. He dismissed the opposition's claim that Karachi lacks mega projects, pointing to numerous entries in the budget book. 'Even areas where PPP doesn't have a single councilor are receiving development projects,' he said. Shah highlighted the K-IV water project and a solar power distribution program under which 200,000 solar home systems have been received. 'We'll cover installation and transport costs too,' he added. Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla revealed a dramatic rise in tax collection, from Rs7.29 billion in 2008 to over Rs200 billion today. This year's budget eliminates three major taxes: professional tax, entertainment tax and cotton tax. New traffic regulations are also on the horizon. By August 14, all outdated number plates must be replaced, and old tax books will be retired. Vehicle data will now be integrated with traffic police systems to ensure compliance. Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani said 1,138 schemes were initiated last year, of which 424 have been completed. Of the total Rs131 billion in local government schemes, Rs104 billion are dedicated to Karachi. 'There are 52 mega projects currently underway with a cost of Rs72 billion. Just in Korangi, Shahrah-e-Bhutto is a Rs54 billion project,' he informed the House, adding that both the Korangi Interchange and Shahrah-e-Bhutto will be completed this December. Refuting opposition accusations of bias, Saeed Ghani said: 'The budget documents don't support the claim that we've only funded areas that elected PPP candidates.' Following the intensive debate, the assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 9:30 am. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget: Sindh Assembly witnesses another day of heated debate
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed the third consecutive day of vigorous debate on the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, with opposition members sharply criticising the PPP-led government's performance while praising the fiscal direction taken by Punjab under Maryam Nawaz. A total of 29 lawmakers contributed to the debate, bringing the cumulative number of speakers over the last three days to 84. More members are expected to participate in the debate on Thursday. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed. While treasury benches hailed the budget as development-oriented and people-centric, opposition members lambasted it as disconnected from public realities—particularly in urban Sindh. Opening the day's speeches, Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah outlined achievements under his portfolio, including initiatives to develop Gorakh Hill into a family-friendly tourist spot and efforts to digitize Bhitaipedia and the Sindhi language. He proposed setting up a residential colony for writers and poets. Noting budgetary restrictions, he lamented that the tourism department is barred from purchasing vehicles, whereas other countries levy fewer duties on such imports. The Gorakh Hill Authority, he said, receives an annual allocation of Rs250 million. MQM's Farhan Ansari voiced deep frustration over the budget's failure to address Karachi's needs. 'There is no electricity or water in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Only hydrants are functional,' he said, accusing the government of ignoring basic urban infrastructure while breaking promises of road carpeting and streetlights. PTI's Sajjad Ali Soomro sharply criticised Sindh's education record. 'Six million children remain out of school despite PPP spending Rs2 trillion on education. Farmers are committing suicide while ministers grow richer,' he added, also highlighting the lawlessness in riverine areas. MQM's Abdul Basit criticised the government for failing to implement the senior citizen card program. 'Even if this budget were in dollars, it wouldn't change Sindh's condition,' he quipped. PPP's Qasim Siraj Soomro countered opposition criticism by asserting that the budget reflects genuine efforts to uplift the province. He lauded the PPP's performance for its growing political strength and cited improvements in Nagarparkar schools and 56 dams in Thar; though he admitted many RO plants remain in disrepair. MPA Adil Altaf Unar expressed gratitude for road projects in his constituency and praised party leadership for a balanced fiscal strategy. PPP's Liaquat Ali Askani congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the finance team, revealing that nine major schemes have been earmarked for Karachi. He stressed the need for setting up a trauma centre in Baldia Town. Minister for Social Welfare Tarique Ali Talpur highlighted ongoing collaboration with NGOs like HANDS and Oxfam on senior citizen initiatives and urged the federal government to withdraw the 18% tax on solar panels. Riaz Hussain Shah Sheerazi, Minister for Auqaf and Zakat, reported that 122,000 beneficiaries had been registered under the Zakat program, with funds to be managed via Islamic banks. He also announced new schemes for the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. PPP's Malik Sikander Khan said 52 primary schools in Thana Bula Khan remain closed due to a shortage of teachers. He generously offered 20 acres of personal land for a playground and called for water supply schemes in the region. MQM's Qurat Ul Ain Khan called the budget anti-people and accused the government of marginalising her party. 'Landhi Medical College is in the budget books every year but never built. Load-shedding and inflation are choking Karachi,' she said. Muhammad Usman of MQM criticised the inequitable tax distribution. 'For tax collection, Karachi is part of Sindh, but when it comes to basic needs like water, we're told to ask the federal government,' he remarked, going as far as to suggest handing Karachi over to the Centre. Arsalan Perwaiz said his constituency PS-98 lacks potable water, roads, and ambulances. He alleged corruption in housing societies and bemoaned zero allocation for his area in the budget. PTI's Sajid Hussain focused on Karachi's chronic problems. 'There's been no clean drinking water for 20 years, drugs are sold openly, and children are out of school. The Landhi Medical Hospital has no electricity. This is a criminal negligence,' he said. MQM's Muhammad Aamir Siddiqui said most of the Rs20 billion worth of schemes benefit Malir, ignoring areas like Johar, PIB, and Central. He criticised low funding for the Red Line BRT. MQM's Muhammad Maaz Mehboob hailed Punjab's development and questioned whether Karachi youth would need to migrate there to build skills. 'Even the IT budget here is less than the forest department's,' he lamented. 'No wonder people say Sindh needs a CM like Maryam Nawaz.' Kiran Masood of MQM paid tribute to former leaders and accused the PPP of arresting female MQM workers. 'You have your mayor— ask him to perform. Red Line BRT and Pink Taxi won't matter without roads,' she said, demanding power devolution to the districts. MQM's Sikandar Khatoon pointed to the lack of public transport in Shah Faisal. 'Only one bus route, People's Bus R-2, serves the area. That's not enough,' she said. PTI's Bilal Hussain Khan Jadoon accused local bodies of corruption and noted that despite his constituency paying high taxes, it still lacks basic utilities like gas and water. PPP's Abdul Razaq Raja sparked uproar from opposition benches but lightened the atmosphere by reciting a poem in Sindhi at the Chief Minister's request. PPP's Rana Hamir Singh expressed gratitude for a Rs50 million project in his constituency while also flagging other local issues. PPP's Muhammad Yousuf called for turning the boys' college in Konkar into a girls' college in the evening shift due to the lack of a dedicated girls' college in Gadap. PPP's Bahadur Khan Dahri opened with a poem that irked PTI lawmakers, though Minister Sharjeel Memon quickly defused the tension. As the debate concluded, the session was adjourned until 10 am on Thursday, with more fiery speeches expected as budget deliberations continue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Budget allocations for Karachi: JI to hold protest march on 21st
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief, Munim Zafar has announced a protest march to the Sindh Assembly on 21st June while launching a scathing attack on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), accusing them of political hypocrisy and failing to secure Karachi's rightful share in development funds despite being part of the ruling coalition at the center. Addressing at a press conference at JI's Karachi headquarters, Idara Noor-e-Haq on Tuesday, Munim Zafar said that while both parties enjoy ministries and privileges in the federal government, they have done little to address Karachi's chronic issues, including water shortages, power outages, and crumbling infrastructure. He highlighted that Karachi, despite being Pakistan's economic hub, was largely ignored in the recent federal and provincial budgets. He pointed to the K4 water supply project as a glaring example of neglect. He said the Sindh government sought Rs 40 billion for this project but only Rs 3.2 billion were allocated, calling it a deliberate betrayal of Karachi's needs. He noted the project has been stalled for 22 years and this paltry sum ensures it remains in limbo. He also criticised the PPP-led provincial government for failing to launch any new mega projects for Karachi, despite the city generating the bulk of Sindh's revenue. Munim Zafar accused the PPP of hypocrisy, citing Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab's recent complaints about the federal government ignoring the city. He questioned why the PPP doesn't use its influence in the center to push for the city's rights if it is serious about Karachi. Similarly, he slammed the MQM for using Karachi's name to win votes but doing nothing in return, noting that while both parties are quick to secure ministries and perks for themselves, they show no urgency in resolving Karachi's crises. The JI leader said the protest rally on June 21 will demand fair budget allocations for Karachi, immediate completion of the K4 water project, new infrastructure and development initiatives, and an end to political neglect of the city. He vowed that JI would continue its legal and democratic struggle for Karachi's rights and urged citizens to join the upcoming protest, declaring that it's time for real action, not empty promises. Shifting focus to international affairs, Munim Zafar strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Palestine and other Muslim nations, as well as the United States for repeatedly shielding Israel at the UN. He said the UN has failed its purpose by allowing such atrocities and called the Organization of Islamic Cooperation equally ineffective, urging Muslim countries to unite independently to confront aggressors like Israel. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sharjeel urges Nawaz, Shehbaz to rein in PML-N ministers over canal row
Listen to article Sindh's senior minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restrain their ministers from issuing 'provocative statements,' warning that escalating tensions over disputed canal projects could destabilise interprovincial relations. Speaking at a joint press conference in Karachi alongside senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Nasir Hussain Shah and Aijaz Damrah, Sharjeel Memon expressed concern over what he described as irresponsible remarks by some PML-N ministers. 'If this approach continues, we may not be able to stop our own spokespersons from responding in kind,' the minister cautioned. He reiterated PPP's firm and longstanding opposition to the construction of controversial canal projects, arguing they undermine Sindh's water rights. Sharjeel Memon said the party holds documented evidence of Sindh's consistent opposition since the project's approval by federal water regulators during the caretaker government. 'We have official records proving that the Sindh chief minister objected at every stage,' he asserted. According to Sharjeel, Sindh's representatives voiced dissent when the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) issued no-objection certificates during the caretaker setup, allowing the controversial projects to move ahead. 'Even back then, we made our position clear,' he said. He revealed that Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah had contacted him twice in recent days, and that Shehbaz Sharif had expressed interest in finding a resolution. 'The prime minister is the leader of the whole country, not just one province. He should address these valid concerns and remove the reservations of the people,' the minister added. While defending the right to peaceful protest, the minister urged demonstrators to avoid blocking roads and disrupting economic activities. 'Livestock trucks and export consignments are stuck. Protesting is a constitutional right, but public inconvenience must be avoided,' he said. The minister also drew attention to the broader water-sharing issue, claiming that Sindh has not received its fair share of water under the 1991 Water Accord. He demanded the federal government fulfil its legal and constitutional obligations to ensure equitable distribution. Sharjeel criticised some PML-N ministers for adopting a confrontational tone, labelling them as 'non-political' elements creating unnecessary tensions. 'Sensible political leaders defuse situations — they don't inflame them,' he said. He concluded by welcoming Sanaullah's recent outreach but warned that continued provocation would leave PPP with no choice but to respond through its own political channels. The growing row comes amid wider tensions between the PPP-led Sindh government and the PML-N-dominated federal administration over resource-sharing, governance, and provincial rights.
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
A city long yearning for peace
Listen to article On April 15, 1985, a 20-year-old college student Bushra Zaidi was killed by a speeding minibus in Nazimabad neighbourhood of Karachi. Her sister was also injured in the road accident, as well as a few other students. Burhra Zaidi's killing triggered widespread protests by students against rash driving, followed by violence in many parts of the city. Instead of tactfully dealing with protesters, the police used excessive force only to augment the violence — which was soon given an ethnic colour. Since then, Karachi has been in the grip of periodic outbreak of violence. More recently, killings by heavy vehicles, like dumper trucks and water tankers, threaten to ignite ethnic violence in the city. At a press conference in Islamabad on April 8, MQM-P leaders warned that the people of Karachi would not tolerate killings on the roads of Karachi and accused the PPP-led Sindh government of neglecting real issues facing the 30 million-strong mega city. The MQM-P leaders said that more than 90% of cops and bureaucrats in Karachi are non-locals which is the root cause of the various crises facing the city. They also questioned the recent appointment of the Sindh police chief, claiming that the development was followed by a surge in criminal activities across the province. The MQM-P leaders lamented that Karachi, despite accounting for 60% of the federal and 90% of the provincial revenue, gets the step-motherly treatment. Meanwhile, Afaq Ahmed, the Chairman of Mohajir Quami Movement, also bitterly criticised the killing of Karachiites by heavy vehicles; acute water shortage in Karachi; and the free rein that the criminals are enjoying in the metropolis. He warned the Sindh government of serious consequences if immediate steps were not taken to save the people of Karachi from mafias "being patronised by the PPP". Forty years have passed since the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Bushra Zaidi. The situation of Karachi has gone from bad to worse during this period. In 1985, the issue of over-speeding by minibuses owned and run by non-locals destabilised peace of Karachi. Now other serious matters — water crisis, land mafia and street crime — have cropped up, compounding the city's predicament. Four decades ago, the Urdu-speaking population constituted more than 50% of Karachi's total population, but it has lost its majority in the city now. At that time, police and city administration had a sizeable representation of locals, but now — as alleged by both MQM-P leaders and Afaq Ahmed, 90% of police and administration officials in Karachi are non-local, belonging to rural Sindh. It is another story that the MQM fully exploited the killing of Bushra Zaidi to propagate the slogan of Mohajir nationalism. Based on that, the party that was launched in 1984 won the municipal elections of 1987 as well as the National and Provincial Assembly elections from Karachi and Hyderabad in 1988. However, it failed to resolve the very many issues facing the urban population of Sindh. The MQM, which converted into Muttahida Qaumi Movement from Mohajir Qaumi Movement in early 1990s, remained part of almost all federal and provincial governments. The party is accused of letting its voters down by compromising on principles for the sake of power and privilege. Now after 40 years, the Urdu-speaking population of urban Sindh, particularly those from Karachi and Hyderabad, feel that they have betrayed by their leaders. If the citizens of Karachi have had to pay around 25 billion rupees every year to buy water and their lives are at risk because of the rash driving by dumpers, tankers and mini-buses, it means that those who have been getting their votes since 1987 were mainly interested in using the power of the vote for maximising their own wealth. If Karachi and Hyderabad are controlled by non-locals, it means that the MQM compromised on its election manifesto and left people of the two cities in the lurch. Forty years down the line, it is time to analyse what went wrong with the leadership of the Urdu-speaking population of Sindh and why it has failed to meet the aspirations of its voters. One can examine the dynamics of four decades of violence in Karachi from three angles. First, since April 15, 1985, there has been no respite in Karachi and Hyderabad from ethnic violence which was first directed against the Pashtuns, then Punjabis and finally Sindhis. It is alleged that the violence in the wake of Bushra Zaidi's killing was used by the dictatorial regime which patronised MQM against PPP. The MQM got a heavy mandate from Karachi and Hyderabad in the 1988 general elections. It was an ideal opportunity for the party to focus on issues that plagued the two cities. At the April 8 presser by MQM-P leaders, Mustafa Kamal claimed that during his tenure as Mayor, he had changed the face of Karachi. But the question is why the party has failed to take a firm stand against the dumper mafia, water mafia, land mafia and street criminal. The only way the MQM-P can reclaim its popular support is by reverting to the grassroots politics. It is also alleged — not only by MQM, but also by JI, PTI and GDA — that it is the ruling PPP that has destroyed both urban and rural districts of Sindh through bad governance. Lack of ownership for Karachi and Hyderabad on the part of PPP and running the two cities through non-local police and administrative officials further aggravated the issues. When Karachiites, who contribute bulk of federal and provincial revenues, will be left at the mercy of the mafias, the outcome will be nothing else than violence. Second, lives lost on the roads to over-speeding means the absence of rule of law as well as poor governance. When the K-4 water supply scheme continues to remain in limbo for 20 years, it will aggravate the water crisis in Karachi and likely result in water riots. When corruption and nepotism are allowed to destroy the very foundations of the city, it means the destruction of Pakistan's revenue engine. Third, the provincial and federal governments must own Karachi and take steps to ensure rule of law and better governance, and to eliminate mafias. But that is only possible when those who wield power eradicate corruption and nepotism. With the country already facing serious challenges in Balochistan and KP, it cannot afford to see Karachi destabilised.
