CM terms opposition's uproar 'misconduct'
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, concluding the budget debate, termed the opposition's uproar during the Sindh Assembly session as misconduct. He said that assembly rules were not followed during the budget session, the opposition behaved inappropriately and tried to disrupt his budget speech.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) holds a clear majority in the house and can pass the budget, but they still want to take everyone along.
The CM claimed that Sindh government is providing services to the public in every sector. He said this time 135 members delivered speeches on the budget and more than 42 hours were allocated for debate, which reflects the democratic process.
Comparing development budgets of other provinces, Murad said, Sindh's development budget is 30 per cent of the total, which is more than that of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
He revealed that at the beginning of the year, the federal government had promised to give Sindh Rs1.9 trillion, but after budget, this amount was reduced to Rs1.796 trillion, which he termed unfair. He mentioned that Sindh collected taxes at a higher rate than federal government.
Speaking on agriculture, the CM raised objections to federal policies regarding agricultural taxes, saying poor decisions led to the need to import wheat. He said that Sindh has set a target of Rs8 billion from agricultural income tax for the next fiscal year.
He listed several initiatives related to education, health, disability support, autism centres, and youth development centres. He also mentioned projects such as the SICH Child Emergency Network, a new IUT in Larkana, new ambulances, and a fisheries support programme.
Murad announced a 10 to 12 per cent increase in government employees' salaries and an eight per cent increase in pensions. He also declared the abolition of professional and entertainment taxes and tax relief on vehicles.
Refuting media reports that Karachi is being ignored, he highlighted mega projects worth Rs12 billion for the city.
In conclusion, the CM said if God and his party willed, he was ready to remain chief minister for 18 years.
Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi, during his budget speech, strongly criticised the PPP's 17-year rule. He said the increase in party seats was not due to performance but due to other factors, as public issues have worsened instead of being resolved. He called for the cancellation of failed and delayed projects, saying old schemes are a burden on the ADP.
Khurshidi pointed out the lack of basic facilities in Karachi and poor solid waste management. He said Karachi generates revenue, but the city is not given its due share. He also criticised the federal government, stating Sindh's rightful share is being withheld.
He further slammed the government over the water crisis, meager allowances for police personnel, and issues related to K-Electric. Khurshidi said the Karachi mayor has full support of the leadership, yet problems remain unresolved.
The session was adjourned until 11am on Tuesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
CM visits flood-hit Hyderabad
The Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has contended that a large number of low-lying areas in Hyderabad, where flash flood cut a swathe through the city on July 14, accompanied by the power outages during the downpour 'worsened' the situation. Talking to the media in Hyderabad on Thursday after visiting the rain affected roads and localities, the CM said Hyderabad Electric Supply Company was asked before the rainfall to maintain power supply so that drainage pumping stations could work uninterrupted. The request, however, could not be entertained as the company claimed that 18 of its grid stations were shut down due to falling of the transmission poles. CM Shah acknowledged that some areas in the city are still under rainwater but he assured that drainage efforts are afoot. Responding to criticism of MQM-P over performance of the provincial government during rains, the CM alluded that the party was itself responsible for deterioration of Hyderabad's urban infrastructure when it was in power. He recalled visiting Latifabad in a boat during the 2005 flash flood when the city had MQM-P's Nazim. Commissioner Bilal Ahmed Memon and Deputy Commissioner Zainul Abedin Memon in their briefing claimed that the city was struck by a cloud burst as City taluka received 107 millimetre torrential shower in an one hour followed by 91 mm in Latifabad and 55 mm in Qasimabad. Roads The CM assured that the Rs3.2 billion Autobahn road project's phases I and II will be completed by the end of July. During his visit to the under-construction Abdul Sattar Edhi Flyover, he was briefed about a new road project being executed on either sides of the Pinyari Canal. SPSC The CM inaugurated the newly established Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Lab at the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). He was briefed that the lab is equipped with 500 tablets with a per day testing capacity of 2,000 candidates. The commission claimed that it is going to be the first institution in the province to implement computer-based testing.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Govt signs fresh sugar export deal
Listen to article The finance ministry on Wednesday finally admitted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) objected to Pakistan's tax exemptions on sugar imports. Despite this, the government has entered into yet another agreement with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), allowing future sugar exports if total stocks exceed seven million metric tonnes. The new agreement, signed on July 14 between the minister for national food security and research and the all-powerful PSMA, aims to persuade millers to keep ex-factory sugar prices between Rs165 and Rs171 per kilogram until October 15. It signals that the government has not learnt from its earlier decision to allow the export of 765,000 metric tonnes, which triggered the current price crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government had permitted the export of 765,000 metric tonnes, driving local prices up to Rs200 per kg. In order to stabilise prices, the government allowed tax-free imports of sugar, prompting sharp criticism from the IMF. "The government is discussing the sugar issue with the IMF," said Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal at a National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting held Wednesday. PPP's Syed Naveed Qamar chaired the committee also said that the IMF was displeased with the government's decision to waive taxes on the import of sugar. "There are about 70 benchmarks in the IMF programme, and one of those is that tax exemptions cannot be given," Bosal explained, responding to a question on the nature of the IMF objections. Sources said that the IMF has plainly asked the government to revoke three statutory regulatory orders issued to waive taxes. The Express Tribune reported on Tuesday that the IMF had reacted to the major breach of the $7 billion programme and conveyed its reservations about import of sugar by waiving taxes in violation of written commitments. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial justified the tax waiver by pointing out that total import duties on sugar amounted to 53%, making imports unaffordable. The waiver aimed to cut the import price of sugar by Rs82 per kg. Initially, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) issued a tender to import 300,000 metric tonnes. After IMF's objections, the volume was reduced to 50,000 tonnes, and the bid deadline was extended from July 18 to July 22. MNA Jawed Hanif criticised the double standard, saying the government used the IMF as an excuse during budget debates but later breached the agreement itself. Bosal denied speculation that the IMF would demand new taxes on salaried individuals in exchange for sugar import waivers. PPP's Nafisa Shah remarked, "Vested interests are stronger than the IMF." The sugar export agreement states that "the federal government will allow, for export of sugar stocks exceeding seven million metric tonnes (carryover plus 2025-26 production), after 30 days of the closing of the crushing season 2025-26." This definition means even imported sugar, if not consumed, could count toward total stock. The stock verification will rely on FBR's track and trace system and be overseen by a four-member committee, one official each from the federal and provincial governments and two from PSMA. Critically, the agreement includes a price-fixing clause that contradicts Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) laws. It states, "The maximum ex-mill price of sugar will be fixed at Rs165 per kg on July 15, 2025, and increased by Rs2 per kg monthly until October 15, 2025." Before last year's sugar exports, ex-mill prices were below Rs140 per kg. By setting the maximum price at Rs171 per kg, excluding retail profit margins, the government is effectively granting a windfall to millers. Qamar said the government should exit the sugar trade entirely, including ending the licensing regime for new sugar mills. "There are sufficient stocks in the country," Qamar added. "Importing sugar sends the wrong signals to the market." He further said the government should only regulate wheat, not sugar. "Sugar remains a highly regulated commodity, while wheat has been deregulated," he said. Other matters The committee also reviewed two key private member bills: the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Bill, moved by Nafisa Shah, and the Parliamentary Budget Oversight Bill, proposed by MNA Rana Iradat Sharif Khan. The CSR bill proposes that companies contribute 1% of net income toward social welfare. However, the secretary finance opposed the bill, claiming it would raise the cost of doing business. Committee members rejected this argument, noting the levy targets net income, not sales. Nafisa Shah argued that many companies already allocate around 1.5% to CSR voluntarily and support the bill. Despite this, the finance ministry requested a one-month consultation period with stakeholders, which the committee said was unnecessary. Qamar also formed a sub-committee to further evaluate the Parliamentary Budget Oversight Bill, aimed at enhancing budgetary accountability. While Secretary Bosal expressed reservations against the bill, Qamar stressed that while the oversight bill may challenge the bureaucracy's fiefdoms, the proposed legislation is important for the improvement of the overall system.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Power wheeling policy for export industry: MoC seeks update from PD ahead of NEDB meeting
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has sought an update from the Power Division on the long-awaited electricity wheeling policy for the export industry, ahead of the National Export Development Board (NEDB) meeting scheduled for Thursday (July 17), to be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. On July 22, 2024, during a previous NEDB session, the Prime Minister had directed that the wheeling policy for the export sector be finalized without further delay. According to the Commerce Ministry, the upcoming 4th NEDB meeting on July 17, 2025, will include a review of the updated status of the wheeling policy, with a particular focus on recommendations from the technical committee headed by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. These include proposals for viable wheeling charges. Accelerating Pakistan's livestock exports in global halal markets Sources said the success of the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM) hinges on two critical factors: the volume of available capacity and the level of wheeling charges. Wheeling charges are now expected to be reduced to Rs12/kWh, down from the earlier proposed Rs26/kWh. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has strongly advocated for electricity availability through business-to-business (B2B) contracts at wheeling charges between 1 to 1.4 cents/kWh, excluding cross-subsidies and stranded costs. APTMA argues that in the current economic climate, boosting exports must be a top national priority. The industry warns that uncompetitive power tariffs and emerging green energy regulations in export markets are serious threats to Pakistan's textile and apparel exports. A competitive wheeling mechanism under CTBCM is considered essential for the industry's recovery and long-term sustainability. The association has criticized the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) and distribution companies (Discos) for proposing an 'absurd' wheeling charge of 9.6 cents/kWh, saying it defeats the purpose of CTBCM and market liberalization. APTMA notes this rate is even higher than the full electricity tariffs for export sectors in competing countries such as: (i) Bangladesh: 8.6 cents/kWh; (ii) India: 6 cents/kWh; and (iii) Vietnam: 7.2 cents/kWh APTMA has also raised concerns about Rule 5 of the Eligibility Criteria (Electric Power Supplier Licence) Rules, 2023, which it claims undermines NEPRA's authority to independently determine fair wheeling charges. The rule reportedly allows the Power Division to dictate both the structure and amount of wheeling charges. Reiterating its long-standing demand, APTMA has called for a regionally competitive power tariff of 9 cents/kWh, citing both regional benchmarks (5–9 cents/kWh) and domestic cost-of-service studies, which show that tariffs for 83–84% of Pakistani consumers are already around that level. NEPRA's recent determination supports this demand, with industrial base rates for July 2025 set at: (i) Rs21.65/kWh (off-peak); and (ii) Rs30.76/kWh (peak). These rates roughly translate to 9.5 cents/kWh before the application of cross-subsidies. On renewable energy wheeling, APTMA claims that the current wheeling rate of 4.5 cents/kWh makes CTBCM implementation economically unviable. It notes that even for a textile unit operating three shifts a day, only about 20% of energy needs can be met through wheeling at a viable cost (~8 cents/kWh). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
