Punjab approves 5 schemes worth Rs16.75bn
The PDWP also approved the programme for strategic transformation and revamping of old blocks at former DHQ hospitals in Rahim Yar Khan, Gujranwala, and Sargodha, with Rs1,097.112 million allocated for DHQ Hospital Gujranwala. Additionally, the meeting approved Project Readiness Financing (PRF) for the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program at a cost of Rs4,777.250 million, and the replacement of old and condemned equipment at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) with an estimated budget of Rs1,012.580 million. The PC-II for Smart City Lahore Phase-I also received final approval, with an allocation of Rs70 million. The meeting was attended by Secretary P&D Board Rafaqat Ali, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, members of the P&D Board, and other senior officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt lifts cap on bureaucrats' fee
The federal cabinet has withdrawn its one-year-old decision to cap the board fees of top bureaucrats at a cumulative Rs1 million per annum after an overwhelming majority of them did not obey the decision. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were the driving force behind the federal cabinet's decision in June 2024 to limit the fee at Rs1 million and surrender the surplus amount to the national kitty. The board fee goes as high as $5,000 for one board in certain cases, while in the majority of cases, the fees for attending one board meeting of some government-owned enterprises range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of rupees. The cabinet division withdrew its decision on June 22, according to a notification issued by the finance ministry this month. "In pursuance of the Cabinet Division decision dated 22-06-2025, the Finance Division's letter dated 10-07-2024 and Office Memorandum stand withdrawn ab-initio," reads the notification. In June last year, both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister held the view that these bureaucrats should keep only a portion of the hefty board fees and surrender the remaining amount to the exchequer. The premier had serious objections to bureaucrats receiving up to $5,000 or Rs1.4 million for a single board meeting. At least two government entities, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) and Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL), pay around Rs1 million or more in fees for every board meeting. The secretaries of finance, petroleum, privatisation, and information technology are members of these boards. There are also boards where the fees range from Rs100,000 to Rs250,000 per meeting. In 2023, then-finance minister Ishaq Dar had announced that government servants should retain a maximum of Rs600,000 annually in board fees and deposit the rest. However, this decision was never implemented. The finance ministry has also withdrawn its office memorandum, which stated: "It has, therefore, been decided to reiterate those instructions that the government servants appointed to the Board of companies, organisations, and who become entitled to fees, shall only be allowed to retain remuneration to a maximum of Rs1 million in a financial year. Any amount more than Rs1 million so received shall be deposited by the officer in the government treasury, and a record of the same shall be promptly provided to the administration wing of the respective Ministry and Division." Since hardly any bureaucrats complied with the decision, the cabinet decided to withdraw last year's decision ab-initio, as if it had never been taken. Austerity measures The finance ministry also notified the continuation of austerity measures for the fiscal year 2025-26. The austerity measures will also apply to all federal government-attached departments, state-owned enterprises, and statutory bodies, including regulatory authorities. In the case of SOEs, these austerity measures will be considered a directive of the federal government under Section 35 of the SOEs Act of 2023 and under relevant sections of their respective organic laws for statutory bodies, according to the notification. These measures are introduced annually to reduce expenditures across various government departments, including the abolition of vacant positions, a ban on the purchase of new vehicles and machinery, and restrictions on officials' foreign travel. The austerity measures were adopted to control government expenditures. Under these measures, the government banned the purchase of new vehicles and equipment for various departments. The notification stated that only operational vehicles, such as ambulances and other medical equipment vehicles, fire engines, buses and vans for educational institutions, solid waste vehicles, and motorcycles, could be purchased if needed. However, the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has purchased vehicles for federal ministers and officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). FBR vehicles bearing the FBR logo, bought last month, can be seen being irregularly used by officers for private purposes. Similarly, the purchase of machinery and equipment for various government departments would also be prohibited. The notification clarified that only machinery and equipment needed for hospitals, laboratories, agriculture, mining, and schools could be purchased. The ministry also imposed a ban on the creation of new posts and temporary posts, except for positions under Public Sector Development Project (PSDP)-funded projects. According to the notification, all posts lying vacant for the last three years would be abolished. Procurement of goods under PSDP-funded projects would be exempt from this ban. Additionally, there would be a complete ban on government-funded treatment abroad and all unnecessary foreign trips. Ad-hoc salary notification The finance ministry has also notified a 10% salary increase for Armed Forces personnel, Civil Armed Forces, and all civil employees of the federal government, as well as civilians paid from defence estimates and contract employees employed against civil posts in basic pay scales under standard terms and conditions. The decision had been announced in the budget. The finance ministry also notified a 7% increase in net pensions for all civil pensioners of the federal government. The increase will also apply to family pensions granted under the Pension-cum-Gratuity Scheme, 1954, and Liberalised Pension Rules, 1977.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
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Govt plans Rs4.9tr borrowing
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Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh govt identifies 51 more buildings for demolition in Lyari
The Sindh government has dismissed the incumbent Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) director-general after 27 people died in a building collapse in Karachi's Lyari area. Another 51 buildings have been earmarked for demolition after examination. The collapse of a five-storey building in Baghdadi on Friday resulted in the deaths of 11 women, 16 men, and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl, while 10 others were injured. One injured individual remains under treatment. The final body to be recovered from under the rubble was that of 15-year-old Muhammad Zaid, who had been trapped for 48 hours. Read: Karachi's Lyari building collapse claims 27 lives as rescue operation concludes Zaid's father and two brothers also died in the collapse. Rescue operations, despite challenging conditions, ended with no further victims believed to be trapped. The provincial government has pledged Rs1 million in compensation for the aggreived families. Dismissal and suspensions At a press conference, Sindh Senior Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, and Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar outlined the government's response to the disaster. Ghani confirmed that Karachi commissioner has been tasked with providing detailed information about 51 buildings deemed unsafe within 24 hours, including the number of units and residents. This information is crucial to begin the demolition process, he said. "These 51 buildings in poor condition will be dealt with urgently," added Memon. "Necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of residents, and the demolition process will start as soon as we have the required details." The Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government has vowed to take strict action against those found responsible for the collapse, with Ghani informing the media that SBCA staff responsible for overseeing Lyari has already been suspended. Moreover, SBCA director-general has been dismissed, he said, adding that a case will be filed against negligent officers, and those found guilty will be dealth with through legal proceedings. The government has set up a new committee, led by the Karachi commissioner, to investigate the condition of other dilapidated buildings across the city. The government has also pledged Rs1 million in compensation for the families of the victims. "We will not tolerate any criminal neglect," said Lanjar. "The government is fully committed to holding those responsible accountable." Memon emphasised the government's commitment to strengthening laws around illegal construction, with a two-week deadline set for amendments to SBCA regulations. Dilapidated buildings The Sindh government has also announced plans to relocate residents from unsafe buildings and improve conditions in Karachi's 586 dilapidated buildings. While rescue operations were ongoing, three buildings adjacent to the collapsed structure were also severely damaged. Two of the buildings sustained significant structural damage, while a newly constructed six-storey building was evacuated as a precaution. Despite the evacuation, operations continued as usual in the newly constructed building. However, there have been concerns that the SBCA has yet to inspect the affected buildings, and no contact has been made with the owners or residents of the two most vulnerable structures. Sindh Government spokesperson Sukhdev Hemnani assured that the provincial government remains firmly committed to supporting the victims of the Lyari building collapse, including members of the Hindu community. "We will ensure that all victims receive equal assistance," he said, adding that a recovery plan for the victims is currently being finalised. The provincial government reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising the needs of minorities and ensuring the safety of all residents, particularly in vulnerable communities like Lyari.
