Sindh PA budget debate: Treasury dismisses opposition's claims as ‘unfounded'
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
South Korean shares cut gains as US postpones trade talks
South Korean shares erased early gains on Thursday, as the U.S. suddenly postponed trade talks scheduled for Friday, raising uncertainty over tariff negotiations. The benchmark KOSPI was up 26.40 points, or 0.83%, at 3,210.17 as of 0211 GMT, after rising as much as 1.70% earlier in the session. Talks between top South Korean and U.S. officials to negotiate over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs have been postponed due to a scheduling conflict for U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, South Korea's finance ministry said on Thursday. Hyundai Motor was down 0.45%, after falling as much as 1.80% on the news. The automaker rallied on Wednesday after Japan's trade deal with the U.S. raised hopes that South Korea might also get a cut in 25% auto tariffs. South Korea's economy grew at the fastest pace in more than a year in the second quarter, beating market expectations, buoyed by rebounding consumer spending and a surge in exports, driven by robust demand for technology. SK Hynix gained 1.58%, as the chipmaker flagged plans to boost spending this year after posting a record quarterly profit. Rival Samsung Electronics rose 0.38%. Among other index heavyweights, battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 8.77%, while steelmaker POSCO Holdings added 0.15% and drugmaker Samsung BioLogics rose 3.20%. Of the total 935 traded issues, 280 shares advanced, while 606 declined. Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 575.3 billion won ($420.33 million). The won was quoted at 1,369.9 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.43% higher than its previous close at 1,375.8.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Employees continue protest against USC shutdown
ISLAMABAD: Employees of the Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC) continued their protest on Wednesday against the shutting down of Utility Stores by the federal government across the country. Organised under the Joint Action Committee of USC, hundreds of workers staged a sit-in outside the USC headquarters in Islamabad, demanding an immediate reversal of the closure decision. Protesters chanted slogans against the government and vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met. The demonstrators warned that closing down Utility Stores would worsen inflation and push thousands of workers into unemployment. 'Shutting down Utility Stores would be like handing over 260 million citizens to the mafias of inflation,' one protester said. They also alleged that the government's move violates national labour and privatisation laws. Due to the protest and heightened security measures, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed on roads leading to the Red Zone, particularly around the Parliament House, as authorities braced to avert possible movement of protesters towards the Red Zone. Addressing the rally, senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Manzoor Hussain strongly criticised the government's privatisation policy. He said they are not just selling off Utility Stores; they are selling institutions such as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Ltd (Passco) as well. 'Tell me, is there any institution they do not want to sell?' He reminded the crowd that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had established the USC to eliminate profiteering and provide affordable daily essentials to the public under one roof. Manzoor rejected the government's justification that Utility Stores are being shut down due to financial losses. He responded to official claims that Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) now fulfills the need: 'BISP does not support those earning Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 monthly. Where will they go?' He also criticised the government's failure to implement its own minimum wage policy, claiming that the motive behind the closures is not reform but corruption and profiteering. 'They want to loot the system, and we will not let them do it,' he added. Addressing public concerns over PPP's role in the federal government, Manzoor clarified: 'We are not part of the government. Being part of the government means having the prime minister or your ministers in the cabinet. We only support the government's good actions — we are not part of their corruption.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘Journalists Protection Act' to address problems facing journalists: Mandviwalla
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the 'Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Act, 2022' will address the problems including salaries, health, and security under an independent commission. Addressing a news conference at the party's Central Secretariat in Islamabad on Wednesday along with senators, Shahadat Ali Awan and Palwasha Khan, Mandviwalla said the bill will address the problems of salaries, security, health and others of working journalists. He said the Senate had unanimously passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Act, 2022, which comes into immediate effect. He emphasised that 'this Act is designed to empower journalists and media professionals to resolve their issues without the need to approach courts, police, or legislators.' He said that now the journalists would approach the commission to resolve their problems, adding that all political parties of treasury and opposition benches supported the bill in the Senate. He congratulated the journalistic community on the passage of the bill, stating that 'PPP has always prioritised legislation that benefits people across all sectors of society.' He said PPP always struggled for the rights and protection of workers, low grade employees and journalists. Responding to questions from media persons, Senator Mandviwala confirmed that mechanisms would be put in place to ensure the effective implementation of the journalists' protection law. 'This legislation addresses a wide range of challenges faced by journalists, and if improvements are needed, we are open to amending it further,' he added. 'This is a facilitative — not a regulatory — law for the journalist community,' he clarified. 'The PPP legislates for the welfare of the people,' he said. Senator Mandviwala said that the Senate had also unanimously passed the National Institute of Health (Re-organization) (Amendment) Act, 2024. He underscored the significance of this bill, highlighting Pakistan's lack of a comprehensive cancer patient registry. 'Cancer is a deadly disease, and without data, we cannot understand its true burden. This registry will identify the types of cancer prevalent in different regions and support a national action plan for cancer prevention and treatment.' Addressing questions about cancer patient registration, Senator Mandviwala recalled the inter-provincial cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Provinces can adopt this legislation as well. The cancer registry will help relevant departments analyse accurate and timely data, he said. On the broader political situation, Senator Shahadat Awan addressed questions about the administration of oaths for reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. He clarified that the Constitution clearly outlines the oath-taking process. The chief justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) acted constitutionally when he directed the governor to administer the oath, he explained. Responding to a question on the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Senator Awan said that two major constitutional events took place with complete national consensus — the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment. Any attempt to alter the 18th Amendment is out of question, he stressed. Commenting on the events of 9th May 2023, Senator Palwasha Khan described them as 'shameful' and 'an attempt to incite mutiny within the military.' She reiterated that the PPP and its leadership had unequivocally condemned the events. Senator Palwasha also highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari is the only civilian president to serve a second term in office, expressing full confidence that he will successfully complete his tenure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
