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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PPP holds rally to express solidarity with Kashmiris
KARACHI: Provincial Minister for Energy, Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, and Minister for Culture & Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah stated that under the leadership of Field Marshal General Asim Munir, India has been given a befitting response. God willing, we will soon ensure the Kashmiri people attain their right to self-determination. The case of Kashmir is a case of justice and humanity. Today, India is facing disgrace globally, and, God willing, a decision in favour of Kashmiris under the UN resolutions will be achieved soon. By August 5, 2026, the situation in Kashmir will have completely changed. They expressed these views while addressing the rally marking Kashmir Exploitation Day, which commenced from Peoples Chowrangi and concluded at Mazar-e-Quaid. The rally was also addressed by Advocate Parvez Ahmed, a Hurriyat leader from Occupied Kashmir, PPP's Lal Chand Ukrani, and others. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Saleem Baloch, Sarfaraz Rajar, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Kulsoom Chandio, Owais Shah, Senior Member Board of Revenue Syed Khalid Haider Shah, Deputy Commissioner East Abrar Jaffar, Ghulam Muhammad, and others also participated in the rally. Kashmir and Pakistani flags were displayed along the rally route. Participants held portraits of Kashmiri freedom fighters, and a large number of students were present. While addressing the rally, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said that every year on August 5, we mark 'Kashmir Exploitation Day' to condemn Indian aggression and the illegal abrogation of Article 370 against the UN resolutions, and express solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers. He said that in 2024, while we observed this day, we were not as hopeful as we are now in 2025. The humiliation India faced at the hands of the Pakistani forces on May 10 has raised our spirits, and we are confident that by 2026, the Kashmir issue will have seen further improvement. Saeed Ghani said that 'the butcher of Gujarat' Modi, previously refused to even speak on Kashmir, but after the Pakistan-India war, he is now compelled to consider dialogue. He said the world should clearly understand that we will never accept the division of Kashmir, and we continue to stand with the Kashmiri people. He emphasized that India has been globally disgraced, and soon, the Kashmir issue will be resolved. He added that during the war, while the world stood with India, it was Pakistan's Armed Forces and divine help that led to India's defeat within days — the world saw it. Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, in his address, said that, God willing, the days of oppression in occupied Kashmir will soon end. He credited the bravery of the Pakistani army, divine blessings, and national unity for the victory and reiterated commitment to secure freedom for Kashmiris according to their own will. He added that Pakistan is our top priority, and Kashmiris are our brothers. Referring to the atrocities in Gaza, he questioned the world's selective attention and urged them to acknowledge the oppression in Kashmir as well. He noted that Kashmiri leadership remains imprisoned, yet the spirit of the people remains strong. He said Modi is promoting brutality in the region, but Pakistan, under Field Marshal General Asim Munir's leadership and Bilawal Bhutto's global advocacy, is giving a strong response. He pledged continued diplomatic efforts until Kashmir is free and joins Pakistan. Hurriyat leader Advocate Parvez Ahmed, addressing the rally, thanked the Government of Sindh on behalf of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference for organizing solidarity events across the province and amplifying the voice of Kashmiris globally. He recalled Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's words that Kashmir runs in our blood, and even if it takes a thousand years of war, Pakistan will fight for Kashmir. He said August 5 marks the darkest day in Kashmir's history when its special status was revoked, and Kashmiris were stripped of their identity and rights. Advocate Parvez Ahmed lauded the Pakistani army's retaliation to India's 'Operation Sindoor' with their own 'Bunyan al Marsoos', which uplifted the spirits of Kashmiris after 70 years. He mentioned that India has deployed one million troops over 8 million Kashmiris, a stark reflection of its occupation. He praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's diplomatic efforts, which have proven that Pakistan stands firmly on the right side of history. He concluded, 'We are Pakistanis, and we will always remain Pakistanis.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
RTÉ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Govt outlines spending on housing and energy projects
Conor O' Connell, Director, Housing, Planning & Development with the Irish Home Builder's Association, discusses the updated version of the National Development Plan. Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent, reports from the Dáil.
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh MPAs directed to submit development schemes today
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Planning and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has directed all members of the provincial assembly to submit their proposed development schemes by the evening of Friday, July 11, 2025. He emphasized that no scheme should exceed the cost of Rs 500 million, and preferably, schemes should be within Rs 300 million to ensure swift execution. These instructions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the minister, where detailed reviews of ongoing and upcoming development projects across the province were conducted. The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman of Planning & Development (P&D) Sajjad Hussain Abbasi, MPAs Samita Afzal, Saadia Javed, Haji Noor Ahmed Bhurgari, and others. Nasir Hussain Shah stated that all submitted schemes would be promptly assessed from technical and financial perspectives and forwarded to the concerned forums for approval to expedite the development process. He further said that under the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Sindh government has prioritized public welfare projects. In line with this vision, all relevant departments are actively engaged, and the timely participation of MPAs is crucial to achieving the province's development goals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab unveils Rs5,335bn tax-free budget for 2025-26
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman on Monday presented a Rs5,335 billion budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the provincial assembly, terming it a "people-friendly" plan aligned with the development vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The provincial cabinet, led by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved the budget ahead of the session. CM Maryam addressed the 27th provincial cabinet meeting, announcing zero-tax budget for fiscal year 2025–26. Chief minister said the budget reflects 'every rupee as a public trust' and is guided by 'accountability before God.' In her address, Maryam Nawaz highlighted a 47% increase in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), taking it to Rs1,240 billion, while ensuring no new taxes were introduced. 'This is a zero-tax budget and also the largest development budget in Punjab's history,' she said. She noted that despite record allocations, 'no financial scandal has emerged,' crediting improved financial discipline, e-tendering processes, and a focus on transparency and good governance. 'Instead of raising taxes, we will focus on expanding the tax net,' she said, while expressing dissatisfaction over the Punjab Revenue Authority's performance, adding that 'there is room for improvement.' CM Maryam Nawaz outlined several achievements and goals, including the launch of 100 innovative development projects, 94 new public programmes, and the construction or expansion of 12,000 kilometres of roads. '700 roads are currently under construction,' she added. The chief minister reaffirmed her government's focus on health and education, promising provision of free medicines and infrastructure upgrades in public schools. She also announced that the minimum wage had been set at Rs40,000 and called for the digitalisation of wage systems. Maryam Nawaz credited her team's efforts, applauding the senior minister and the chief secretary's performance, noting that her father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, also praised the cabinet's work. 'We declared an emergency in Punjab and delivered. We met IMF conditions and still presented a Rs740 billion budget surplus,' she said. She also hinted at a possible performance-based bonus system for civil servants and said the province had achieved a 94% reduction in local borrowing. Calling the 2025–26 budget a 'historic public service package,' she concluded, 'The work ethic in Punjab has transformed. Power is a trust from God; serving people is our mission.' Senior Minister for Planning & Development Marriyum Aurangzeb and Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman gave detailed briefings during the session. In a post on social platform X, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Annual Development Programme (ADP) had been increased by 47%—from Rs842 billion to Rs1,240 billion—despite a 'compressed' overall fiscal space. Government operational expenses rose by just 3%, even with salary and pension hikes. Punjab Budget Highlight Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved Punjab Annual budget. Despite a comparatively compressed budget, the ADP has increased by 47% from 842 bn to 1240 bn while government operational expenses rose only by 3%, even after salary & pension… — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) June 16, 2025 Aurangzeb described the budget as a historic and strategic realignment of priorities, calling it a departure from outdated traditions under the chief minister's 'fearless and reformist leadership.'
Business Recorder
17-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab approves nine road projects worth Rs13.675bn
LAHORE: In a significant step toward enhancing Punjab's road infrastructure, the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved nine major development schemes on Friday with a combined estimated cost of Rs13.675 billion. The decision came during the 81st meeting of the fiscal year 2024–25, chaired by Chairman of the Planning & Development (P&D) Board, Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan. Senior government officials, including Secretary P&D Dr Asif Tufail and Chief Economist Masood Anwar were also in attendance, reflecting the importance of the session. The projects, all focused on the roads sector, span multiple districts and are aimed at improving connectivity, easing traffic flow, and boosting regional development. Among the key initiatives is the dualization of the Lahore-Jaranwala Road from Mandi Faizabad to Mangranwala which carries an estimated cost of over Rs1.163 billion. Another major scheme involves the rehabilitation and improvement of the Sahiwal-Arifwala to Harappa Bypass route via Malan Shah Chowk, allocated more than Rs 1.094 billion. Similarly, the Farooqabad–Safdarabad stretch of the Sheikhupura-Sargodha Road will undergo extensive upgrades at a projected cost of Rs1.511 billion. Further west, work will begin on the Safdarabad-Manawala Road, with over Rs1.178 billion earmarked for its rehabilitation. In Chiniot, authorities approved the restoration of the road from the district boundary to Tahli Adda via Sial More, with a cost projection exceeding Rs1.941 billion. Infrastructure improvements are also set for Sargodha, where the Sahiwal-Shahpur Road will be widened and enhanced at a cost of Rs1.882 billion. In Nankana Sahib, the Sangla Hill–Safdarabad Road will be rehabilitated at a cost of over Rs1.22 billion. Additionally, the road from Tandlianwala (at Jallah Chowk) to Kamalia, passing through Zaffar Chowk and Mamukanjan, is set for rehabilitation with an estimated allocation of Rs1.818 billion. Meanwhile, the dualization of the Taxila–HMC Farooqia Road in Rawalpindi District has also been approved, with a cost of Rs1.864 billion. These projects underscore the Punjab government's commitment to modernizing infrastructure and improving intercity connectivity. With construction expected to commence in the coming months, residents across these regions can look forward to safer, faster, and more efficient travel. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
