Latest news with #Rs3.45
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh CM shares grievances with centre in post-budget press conference
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah criticised the federal government for failing to meet its financial commitments to the province, while promising enhanced development and relief measures in the 2025–26 budget. Speaking at a post-budget press conference on Saturday, Shah said the provincial budget totalled Rs3.45 trillion, with a record Rs1.018 trillion allocated for development projects. He warned that these figures could change depending on whether the federal government meets its revenue transfer obligations. He announced that 1,460 development schemes, worth Rs590 billion, will be completed this fiscal year. This marks a record for the province. On public sector salaries, Shah confirmed a 12% increase for employees in grades 1–16 and a 10% raise for those in grades 17–22. Total expenditure on salaries and pensions will reach Rs1.1 trillion. Sector-wise, education has seen an 18% increase in budget allocation, healthcare 11%, local government 5%, and energy 16.5%. The transport department will receive Rs 59.6 billion, while agriculture will get Rs 22.5 billion. Rs132 billion has been earmarked for local bodies and Rs43 billion for irrigation. For Karachi alone, a dedicated budget of Rs236 billion has been allocated — excluding the Rs95 billion public-private partnership projects already underway. The CM made bold claims regarding rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected areas, stating that 500,000 houses have been completed, 850,000 are near completion, and 1.3 million are under construction. He said international institutions, including the World Bank, have recognised the effort as a global model of success. He also cited a massive rural drainage and water supply initiative worth Rs600 billion, which will be locally implemented and NGO-supervised. On taxation, Shah stated that no new taxes have been imposed. In fact, several taxes have been eliminated, including restaurant and entertainment levies. Third-party motorcycle insurance has been exempted, stamp duties reduced, and numerous administrative fees halved. In agriculture, the CM announced free laser levellers for small farmers and an 80% subsidy for large-scale cultivators. He also introduced cluster farming as a new model. The Sindh Institute of Child Health was described as the world's largest such network. Initiatives for persons with disabilities, youth development centres, and new school schemes were also unveiled. Shah openly criticised the federal government for excluding major Sindh projects — such as the K-IV water supply project, desalination plants, and other energy-related infrastructure — from the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). He warned that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not support the federal budget if Sindh does not receive a fair share. 'We are not part of the federal coalition, only offering conditional support. If Sindh is not treated equally, we will withdraw our backing,' he said. Shah defended the procurement of helicopters and official vehicles, adding that a ban on new vehicle purchases would be enforced starting next year. Concluding his address, the CM said the Sindh government is working with clear direction and intent for public welfare — as reflected in the increased public mandate in the last election.
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Health budget up by eight per cent
As part of the Rs3.45 trillion provincial budget for FY 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs326.5 billion to the health sector, marking an 8 per cent increase from the previous year's Rs302.2 billion. A significant portion of Rs146.9 billion is to be disbursed as grants-in-aid to public health institutions and medical units across the province. Key allocations include Rs19 billion for the Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT), Rs16.5 billion for the Peoples Primary Health Initiative (PPHI), and Rs10 billion for the construction of a new hospital in Larkana. Further, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that the government has transformed three major public healthcare institutions, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), into world-class facilities over the past 13 years. Delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly, Shah highlighted that the combined bed capacity of the institutions has increased from 2,092 to 4,041, reflecting a significant expansion in public healthcare services. He also revealed that the construction of a new 12-storey medical tower, and a seven-storey officers' ward, is nearing completion at JPMC, stating "this will make JPMC not only the largest healthcare facility in the country but also among the largest in the world." Further, the CM stated that patient visits to the three institutions have surged from 1.6 million in 2011 to over four million in the current year. Meanwhile, highlighting advancements in cancer care, Shah said the provincial government, in partnership with the Patients Aid Foundation (PAF-JPMC), has revolutionised radiation oncology services by introducing CyberKnife, Tomotherapy, and PET-CT facilities. He noted "this is the only centre in the world providing free CyberKnife and Tomotherapy treatment regardless of nationality, religion, or ethnicity. Patients from 168 cities and 16 countries have benefited from these services at JPMC Karachi." APP
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs3.45trn Sindh budget unveiled
KARACHI: With a deficit of Rs38.458 billion, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah unveiled Rs3.45 trillion provincial budget for the fiscal year 25-26 (FY26) in the Sindh Assembly on Friday, proposing a cut in the sales tax on service to 8 percent amid opposition's protest. Speaking at the budget session, the chief minister announced the government's a 'forward-looking development agenda' with scores of 'transformative new initiatives' across the key sectors including education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, social protection, and local governance. 'These initiatives reflect our commitment to equity, innovation, and inclusive growth.' According to the budget documents, the Sindh government budget outlay has been increased by Rs394 billion or 13 percent to Rs3.450 trillion for FY26 compared to Rs3.056 trillion for previous fiscal year. Total receipts of the province are estimated to rise by 12 percent from Rs3.056 trillion in FY25 to Rs3.412 trillion for the next fiscal year. On receipts side, current revenue receipt estimates increased by 10 percent to Rs2.824 trillion including, revenue assignment Rs1.927 trillion, straight transfer Rs116.433 billion, grants to offset losses Rs51.81 billion, provincial tax receipts (excluding GST on services) Rs288 billion and provincial sales tax on services and taxes from agricultural Rs388 billion. In addition, the current capital receipts estimated Rs33 billion, carryover balance Rs100 billion, foreign grants Rs10.838 billion, foreign project assistance RS 366.744 billion and other grants Rs75.58 billion. As per budget estimates, Current Revenue Expenditure (CRE) have been pitched at Rs2.150 trillion, being 12.4 percent higher than budget estimates of Rs1.912 trillion for the FY 2024-25. The increase is mainly due to inflationary impact on the operating expenses, enhancement of grants-in-aid to non-financial institutions including hospitals, public sector universities, local councils, necessary salary raise in shape of relief allowance to the government employees and raise in pension expenditure due to increase in pension. Current capital expenditures estimates; however, increased from Rs184 billion to Rs281.6 billion. The chief minister said that projects under the public health and sustainable development goals are likely to see a budgetary share of Rs45 billion with 50 percent specifically for water sector schemes, supporting clean water access and climate resilience A Rs25 billion of financial allocation is reserved for the home-based solar systems including a portion earmarked to scale decentralised, off-grid solar solutions for household in rural and underserved areas across the province. CM Murad said that the government is set to launch a comprehensive, multi-year agriculture reform program— an ambitious initiative aimed at modernising farming, improving livelihoods, and enhancing food security. He added that the Benazir Hari Card will be the delivery platform for subsidies and services, as so far 200,000 farmers have been enlisted under this program. In next financial year, he said, the number for erecting new homes will rise to around 1.5 million from 1.1 million in the current fiscal year. 'We have opened bank accounts for more than 1.3 million beneficiaries for the rehabilitation of more than 12.3 million flood-affected populations'. The irrigation sector will receive Rs42 billion funds, denoting the Sindh government's commitment to the farmers' community and improvement of irrigation system in the province, he said. The allocation also includes a Rs10 billion block that has been proposed for de-silting of N W Canal and Dadu Canal at the time of Sukkur Barrage closure next year, maintaining irrigation infrastructure and ensuring smooth flow of water into different waterways. The budget estimates for livestock and fisheries sector has been proposed at Rs12.9 billion in a bid along with an amount of Rs120 million earmarked for helping the livestock farmers know about various breeds, modern methods of breeding, fodder cultivations and fishing and aquaculture. In line with the relief measures, the government has proposed 10 percent on an ad-hoc basis allowance for the employees from BPS-1 to BPS-22 so as to equip them to bear the impact of inflation. For the pensioners we have proposed an increase of 7 percent for the next fiscal year. The cumulative impact of these relief measures will be around Rs52 billion per annum, chief minister said. He said that there is a proposal under the government's inclusive policies to scale up the monthly rate of Special Conveyance Allowance from Rs4,000 to Rs6,000 to the differently-abled employees. This measure will have additional financial impact of Rs114.48 million, he added. However, he said that the government's decision about the minimum wage for the labour classis is under consideration keeping view the soaring inflation and rising cost of living. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh budget for FY2025-26 at a glance
The Sindh government announced its budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Friday, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah unveiling proposals for Rs3.45 trillion total outlay, with a deficit of Rs38.46 billion. Here is the provincial budget 2025-26 at a glance:
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Sindh announces to expand sales tax to all major services
The Sindh government has announced to tax 'all services' excluding essential and social services, aiming to 'expand the sales tax base and also reduce possible tariff disputes and litigations', according to budget documents released on Friday. The provincial government announced its budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Friday, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah unveiling proposals for Rs3.45 trillion total outlay, with a deficit of Rs38.46 billion. According to Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) website, the general rate of Sindh Sales Tax on services is 15% with the exception of telecommunication services, which are liable to be taxed at 19.5%. Tax is levied at reduced or concessionary rates in certain cases. Sindh budget documents suggest the province is targeting to collect Rs388 billion in provincial sales tax on services and taxes from agriculture in FY26. The province is projected to collect Rs300 billion in Sindh Sales Tax on services in FY25, 35% higher compared to FY24. 'The Sindh Sales tax on services has been the mainstay of provincial revenues,' CM Murad Ali Shah said during his budget speech at the provincial assembly. 'Under the existing law, all major services are taxable and a smaller segment of services is not taxable. This situation creates disputes regarding taxability of services, which leads to unnecessary litigation and also problems for the taxpayers. 'Therefore, the decision is being made to transform to negative list regime by taxing all services but at the same time taking care that essential and social services are kept exempt that a significant part of new services is subjected to reduced rate,' he said. On the other hand, the Sindh government has proposed to completely remove five levies including professional tax, cotton fee, entertainment duty, local cess and drainage cess, according to budget documents. The tax relief measures would 'reduce the financial burden on both individuals and businesses,' Murad Ali Shah speech text read. Sindh govt presents Rs1.02trn Annual Development Programme for FY2025-26 'The professional tax affects salaried people and small businesses. The cotton fee adds cost to the agriculture and textile sectors.' Besides, the yearly tax under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance for commercial vehicle is being reduced to Rs1,000, 'giving relief to transport and goods carriers'. 'There is also a proposal to end the requirement for third party insurance for motorcycle. 'The mutation fee and sales certificate fees are being reduced to Rs500 from Rs1,000,' the chief minister said. According to Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) website, the general rate of Sindh sales tax on services is 15% with the exception of telecommunication services, which are liable to be taxed at 19.5%. Tax is levied at reduced or concessionary rates in certain cases.
