K-P grant shortfall sparks LG fury
In an official statement, provincial leaders of the federation said that despite the relentless efforts of the organization, the Finance Department recently issued directives to release grants amounting to Rs360.400 million and Rs150 million for settled areas, and Rs71 million for merged areas.
However, these grants fall significantly short of meeting the actual financial needs of the respective Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs).
The federation criticized the provincial authorities for not considering ground realities before releasing the grants. They emphasized that such insufficient allocations are a recurring issue.
Often, the approved amounts do not reflect the genuine demands submitted by TMAs, and in some cases, grants are denied altogether to the most financially vulnerable councils.
As a result, many local government employees and pensioners were unable to receive their dues in time for Eidul Fitr and now face similar hardships ahead of Eidul Azha.
The delay in grant approval further complicates the situation, as the funds do not reach the local bodies in time, leaving employees and pensioners without the means to perform religious obligations, including Qurbani (sacrifice).
Leaders of the Local Government Employees Federation, including Patron-in-Chief Shaukat Kayani, Chairman Mehboobullah, President Haji Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat, and General Secretary Sulaiman Khan Hoti, strongly urged the provincial government to ensure that grant approvals are based on actual financial needs rather than favoritism or outdated formulas.
They called for the timely and fair disbursement of grants.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Prices of perishables surge for 5th week
A surge in prices of perishable commodities in the province has persisted for the fifth consecutive week, coupled with widespread overcharging that has pushed everyday vegetables out of reach for the average consumer. Hardly any vegetable is available below Rs200 per kilogramme, highlighting the severity of the price crisis. Rampant violations of official rate lists continue, showing that a newly formed price control department has failed to make any meaningful impact. This week, the price of live chicken rose by Rs15 per kg to Rs389-403, but sellers charged Rs450-480. Chicken meat was fixed at Rs584 per kg, but sold at Rs 620-670, while boneless chicken fetched Rs1,100-1,100. Potato soft skin A-grade was fixed at Rs80-85 but sold for Rs 140-150; B-grade was set at Rs65-70 and C-grade at Rs55-60, with mixed varieties selling for Rs120-130. Sugar-free A-grade potatoes were fixed at Rs55-60, B-grade at Rs45-50, and C-grade at Rs35-40, though mixed were sold at Rs100-120. Onions remained unchanged officially at Rs45-50 per kg for A-grade, but were sold at Rs80-100. B-grade sold for Rs35-40 and C-grade for Rs26-30, while mixed went for Rs60-70. Tomatoes saw another increase of Rs5 per kg, officially set at Rs86-95 but sold at Rs150-160. B-grade was fixed at Rs75-80 and C-grade at Rs70-75, while mixed quality tomatoes went for Rs120-130. Only one variety of apple was fixed at Rs150-225 but sold at Rs200-350. A-category bananas rose Rs5 per dozen to Rs 92-215 but were sold at Rs 250-300. B-category bananas were fixed at Rs 34-150, sold at Rs200-230, while C-category was fixed at Rs90-100 but sold at Rs150-180. Dates increased by Rs10 to Rs460-490 but sold between Rs900 and Rs2,000. Papaya dropped Rs55 to Rs305-320 but wasn't available in the market. Cantaloupe declined by Rs20 to Rs134-140 but sold at Rs150-200. Peach fell by Rs35, fixed at Rs180-275 but sold at Rs250-400. Mangoes of various types were fixed at Rs150-260 but sold at Rs200-400. Cherry boxes remained at Rs380-400 but weren't available.
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Express Tribune
ATC grants 10-day remand of key suspect in Quetta 'honour killing' case
Listen to article An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta on Wednesday granted a 10-day physical remand of accused Sardar Sherbaz Sakazai in the high-profile double murder case of a woman and a man, Express News reported. The case stems from a gruesome incident in the Degari area, three days before Eidul Azha, in which a woman and man were killed in public. The accused was presented before ATC No 1 in Quetta, where the court approved the police's request for extended remand. The court directed his custody remain with the police's Serious Crime Investigation Wing. The grisly video of the attack circulated on social media three days ago, prompting Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to take notice, leading to multiple arrests. Read More: 14 suspects arrested over 'honour killing' of couple in Balochistan However, in a startling development, the victim's mother, Gul Jan, claimed her daughter, Bano, had been punished under Baloch customary law. She said Bano had absconded with a man named Ehsan for 25 days before being pardoned by her husband, and that the decision to kill her followed a jirga-held, culturally sanctioned judgment. She added that Ehsan had threatened her sons and shouted provocations in TikTok videos. Gul Jan appealed for the release of Sardar Sherbaz and other detainees. Also Read: LHC grills CTD on kill pattern during 'encounters' Meanwhile, the Pakistan Ulema Council condemned the mother's statement as contrary to the Quran, Sunnah, and Pakistan's Constitution, accusing her of complicity in the crime. Senior clerics, including Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Maulana Maqbool Ahmed, urged the state and judiciary to take action against all perpetrators and facilitators, emphasising that even if family members seek forgiveness for perpetrators, 'Sharia does not allow pardon in unjust killings.' The religious body further stressed that parents implicated in the murder should also be held accountable, regardless of social or tribal customs, and urged full investigation and legal action in accordance with the law.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Trade bodies advocate restoration of final tax regime
Trade bodies have expressed concern over the imposition of the normal tax regime under the Finance Act and proposed several measures to resolve their pressing problems. They have advocated that the final tax regime for the export sector should be reinstated and under this mechanism the tax rate can be increased gradually. They suggested tax rates of 1.5% for FY25, 1.75% for FY26 and 2% from FY27 onwards, adding that this approach would ensure the required increase in revenue without the need for complex tax filings or audits. A high-level delegation comprising representatives from the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association met with Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Monday. They discussed crucial matters including the final tax regime versus the normal tax regime, industrial policy and measures to improve the ease of doing business. A major worry was the emerging practice of tax officers, who were demanding an additional 0.5% advance tax from exporters to meet revenue targets. This raises the effective tax burden by 150%, a level that is utterly unsustainable for the value-added export sectors, especially those dominated by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the representatives of trade bodies said. The final tax regime was introduced in fiscal year 1991-92 with a 0.5% fixed tax on exports. It was a remarkable success as tax collection rose from Rs343 million in 1990-91 (pre-final tax regime) to Rs855 million in 1991-92, reflecting a staggering 149% growth. They stressed that it not only boosted government revenue with minimal administrative cost but also paved the way for exponential growth in exports, particularly from regions like Sialkot, while significantly reducing corruption and discretionary interventions. Over the decades, the final tax regime provided exporters with a simple, transparent and harassment-free taxation model, but the imposition of the normal tax regime increased the burden, they said. The new policy allows a 2% deduction at source on export proceeds (a 100% increase), an unprecedented move that undermines export viability. They pointed out that there was 1% minimum tax and 1% advance tax (total 2%) at source, and 29% tax on companies and 45% on individuals/Association of Persons (AOPs) after assessment. The trade representatives also raised the issue of 10% surcharge on income exceeding Rs10 million for AOPs/individuals and super tax of 1-10% for income exceeding Rs150 million. They were of the view that the shift to the normal tax regime would have significant implications with the potential for unfair practices. The introduction of refunds and complex tax assessments may incentivise exporters to manipulate financial statements to maximise refunds. The normal tax regime could also reduce the inflow of export proceeds as businesses may seek to avoid higher tax burdens by resorting to under-invoicing. Exporters may deliberately declare lower values for goods or services to reduce the taxable income, leading to minimum tax liabilities and parking of funds abroad. Addressing the concerns, SAPM Haroon Akhtar assured the delegation that the government was fully aware of the challenges faced by the business community. "We are committed to taking all possible measures to resolve these issues," he stated. He revealed that a proposal would be drawn up to include a comprehensive and standardised definition of SMEs in the new industrial policy. "A stable and predictable policy framework is essential for attracting investment and ensuring sustainable industrial growth," the PM aide remarked.
