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Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FY25: Sindh PA approves Rs156bn supplementary budget
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday approved a supplementary budget of over Rs156 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26, brushing aside fierce resistance of the opposition in the form of 735 cut motions, which were overwhelmingly rejected by the house. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of Sindh's Finance Minister, presented 84 supplementary demands for grants, including charged expenditures for the Governor's Secretariat and the Provincial Assembly. These demands were passed by the assembly during a session chaired by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah. The opposition had tabled over 735 cut motions against the supplementary grants, urging individual consideration of each. Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi insisted that every motion was prepared with diligence and should be debated separately. However, the Speaker grouped the motions together and subjected them to a joint vote, in which they were rejected by a majority. Presenting the supplementary demands, Murad Ali Shah detailed the expenditure breakdown, stating that over Rs5 billion was allocated to the judiciary's charged expenditures, Rs3 billion for the Sindh Assembly, and more than Rs1 billion for the Governor House. He further explained that over Rs59 billion was earmarked for debt servicing. He clarified that expenses related to the courts are non-negotiable, but administrative departments including the Assembly could be asked to exercise restraint. Interestingly, the Chief Minister noted that while there were cut motions filed against CM Secretariat expenditures, none targeted those of the Governor or Speaker. MQM's Muhammad Mazahir Amir raised concerns over rising petroleum costs due to global tensions in the Gulf region and urged the government to curb fuel expenditures. Murad Ali Shah responded by clarifying that although fuel prices had indeed risen, consumption levels had remained unchanged, which is why related costs had gone up. In another cut motion, Muhammad Mazahir questioned an allocation for the CM House garden, to which the Chief Minister clarified that the funds were for stationery and supplies, not landscaping. Murad Ali Shah also disclosed that during the visit of the late Iranian President, who had come to the CM House, hospitality and protocol expenses had totalled Rs200 million, including traditional Sindhi gifts such as Ajraks and caps, and occasionally handcrafted items. 'These are not lavish expenses but unavoidable state protocols,' Murad Ali Shah said, while asserting that all valuable gifts he received were kept at the CM House or submitted to the Toshakhana, in accordance with national laws. In his address, the Chief Minister made it clear to the opposition: 'Forget that any of the cut motions will be passed.' He acknowledged the opposition's right to contest, adding, 'It is their democratic role to oppose, so the public can see what they are standing against.' MQM's Muhammad Rashid Khan suggested that state gifts should come from personal pockets. In response, Murad Ali Shah stated he receives many quality gifts, all of which are documented and stored appropriately. The Sindh Assembly session was adjourned to resume on Wednesday at 11 a.m., when the Finance Bill 2025 is scheduled to be tabled. Meanwhile, the opposition has also submitted over 2,000 cut motions on the upcoming fiscal year's budget, which the house will decide in the next sitting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI demands fair share for Karachi in provincial budget
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi staged a large protest march on Saturday, demanding a fair share for Karachi in the provincial budget, early completion of the K-4 water supply project, and an end to what it called chronic injustices against the city. The rally, which began from Khizra Masjid and ended at the Sindh Assembly building, saw participation from people across the city. Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans criticizing the Sindh government and its allies for ignoring Karachi's basic needs. Addressing the crowd, JI Karachi Chief Munem Zafar Khan accused the ruling PPP and MQM of presenting an 'anti-Karachi' budget and sidelining the city in development planning. He said Karachi suffers from a worsening water crisis, crumbling infrastructure, lack of public transport, and power outages. 'Karachi contributes the most to the national and provincial economy but gets nothing in return,' Munem Zafar said, demanding at least Rs500 billion to address the city's pressing issues. He stressed the need for 10,000 buses and the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway to ease public transport problems. He criticized the under funding of the K-4 water project, saying only Rs3.2 billion was allocated against a Wapda requirement of Rs40 billion. 'Karachi paid Rs3,000 billion in taxes, but the government can't spare Rs40 billion for water?' he questioned. Munem Zafar also condemned what he called 'rigged' elections and political manipulation in the mayoral race, blaming both PPP and MQM as 'products of Form 47' — a reference to election results he claimed was tampered with. Highlighting stalled infrastructure projects, he pointed to delays and rising costs in the Red Line BRT and KDA underpass schemes, saying they had caused both human and financial losses. He also slammed recent traffic and transport policies, including the ban on four-seater rickshaws and higher penalties for motorbike riders, calling them 'illogical and unfair.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh Assembly: heated debate on budget continues
KARACHI: Heated and emotional speeches marked the fifth consecutive day of budget deliberations in the Sindh Assembly on Friday, as treasury slammed the federal government for slashing Sindh's share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) by Rs100 billion. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers raised alarm bells over potential misuse of budget funds and deteriorating living standards for the poor. The session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, began with sparse attendance of only seven members but the number increased as proceedings progressed. Several provincial ministers joined the debate, presenting departmental reviews and outlining upcoming development initiatives for fiscal year 2025–26. Speaking from the treasury benches, senior PPP leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro revealed that acting Governor Owais Qadir Shah had been barred from entering the Governor's House. 'The Governor House is being treated like private property,' Khuhro lamented, labelling Governor Kamran Tessori an 'encroacher.' He demanded a formal resolution in the Assembly to uphold constitutional protocol and expressed strong disapproval of the term 'Muhajir' being spray-painted on the building during Tessori's tenure. Khuhro further accused the federal government of undermining Sindh by cutting Rs100 billion from its NFC share. MQM lawmaker Abdul Waseem, meanwhile, delivered a scathing critique of the budget, asserting that 50 percent of the proposed funds would fall prey to corruption and fail to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Though he credited Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon for introducing new buses to Karachi, he said they were inadequate. 'Karachi needs at least 1,000 new buses.' A major portion of Friday's proceedings centred on the treatment of acting Governor Owais Qadir Shah. Former Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani condemned the incident, calling it an 'insult to the Speaker's chair,' and demanded an official apology from the Governor for violating constitutional norms. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar echoed the concerns, revealing that Shah had been unable to perform his duties for the past 22 days because Governor Tessori had locked the offices and taken the keys with him to Saudi Arabia. Lanjar read out a court order instructing the reopening of the offices and criticized the irony that the 'bell of justice' at the Governor House could not ring for the acting governor himself. 'If this continues, dignity will vanish from all offices, and only hollow titles like 'Governor' will remain,' Lanjar warned. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene and hold those responsible accountable. In response, MQM's Taha Ahmed Khan attributed the issue to 'miscommunication and misunderstanding,' cautioning against politicising the matter. 'We condemn how this issue is being used against Governor Kamran Tessori,' he said, reaffirming MQM's respect for the office and their pride in their identity as descendants of Pakistan's founders. Provincial Minister Ali Hassan Zardari highlighted that 48 new development schemes had been included in the budget, while Industries Minister Jam Ikram Dharejo declared that Rs5 billion had been earmarked for road development in Karachi's SITE industrial area. He also announced the launch of Phase 3 of the Nooriabad Industrial Zone and asserted Sindh's constitutional right to gas resources extracted from its soil. Rehabilitation Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman reported a 12 percent increase in Sindh's revenue collection and emphasised that no other party had served Karachi as diligently as the PPP. He noted that 64 out of 164 RO plants were currently functional in Matiari and mobile service units were active across all districts. Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq issued a dire warning about the escalating water crisis in Karachi, stating, 'The world's first water war may begin here.' He criticized the Sindh government for not prioritizing the K-IV water project in its federal demands and pointed out the limited Rs123billion allocation for local governments. Farooq also urged the government to invest in desalination technology and questioned the effectiveness of the so-called 'Shehbaz Speed,' which, he argued, had brought no tangible benefit to Karachi. PPP MPA Imdad Pitafi called for maturity on both sides of the aisle, describing the opposition as a necessary 'mirror' for any government but warning against cultivating distrust. 'There will be no Pakistan without unity,' he said. 'We must think collectively for Sindh and Pakistan.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Good governance: Opposition lawmaker praises Sharjeel
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly's ongoing budget debate for the fiscal year 2025–26 entered its fourth consecutive day on Thursday, showcasing deep a divide between the treasury and opposition benches, while raising concerns over governance, resource allocation, and regional disparities. Despite the significance of the debate, the session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, was marked by low attendance, suggesting waning interest in the proceedings. In an unusual move of cross-party recognition, an opposition lawmaker praised the Sindh government's Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon for good governance for their effective leadership, yet called on the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to introduce a new Chief Minister and Finance Minister. The remark underscored the frustration building within opposition ranks over governance issues. The assembly continued with impassioned speeches, but the criticism remained sharp. MQM's Muhammad Rashid Khan praised Pakistan's military leadership, extending national tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir for the unprecedented recognition he received during his recent visit to the United States. He applauded US President Joe Biden's remarks calling the meeting with Munir an 'honor,' which he believed elevated Pakistan's global standing. He also took aim at the leadership of Sindh, questioning why key ministries had been handled by a few, suggesting the assembly had competent individuals who could serve as Chief Minister and Finance Minister. Meanwhile, Rehan Akram of the MQM decried the continued allocation of 90% of development schemes to rural Sindh, asserting that the government's focus was lopsided and failed to address critical urban issues. He also took aim at the Sindh Anti-Corruption Department, accusing it of becoming 'a department of corruption' due to the lack of a functioning minister or secretary. Akram expressed frustration over the ongoing water crisis and deteriorating sewerage systems plaguing his constituency. Muhammad Daniyal of MQM echoed similar sentiments, expressing anger that the party's pre-budget recommendations had been disregarded. He castigated the '18 years of royal rule' under the Chief Minister, pointing to the dilapidated state of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi. Daniyal sarcastically mocked the city's mayor, who had promised to wash roads with rose water while the city faced a dire drinking water shortage. Representing the Hindu community, Mahesh Kumar Hasija of MQM lamented that the budget had failed to include any significant measures for empowering minorities. He demanded that interest-free loans be provided to them for starting small businesses, emphasizing the need for more targeted support for marginalized communities. Fouzia Hameed, a lady lawmaker from MQM, described the Sindh budget as 'one of destruction,' claiming that it primarily benefitted a few elite families. She called for the reorganization of the entire budget to ensure public resources were spent more equitably and questioned why the Chief Minister had to hold multiple portfolios when there were other capable individuals. In contrast, the PPP side defended the budget with equal fervour. Shahid Thahim, the Sindh Labour Minister, expressed confidence that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would eventually ascend to the position of Prime Minister. He raised concerns over excessive load-shedding in rural Sindh and highlighted ongoing issues in Shahdadpur, including the absence of gas supply despite recent discoveries near the town. Fayaz Ali Butt of PPP praised the Chief Minister for presenting a budget that, in his view, was people-friendly despite the province's challenging financial situation. He pointed to the construction of 2.1 million houses for flood victims as a major achievement. PPP's Giyanoo Mal also praised the party's efforts in protecting minority rights, citing the creation of a dedicated department for minorities and numerous schemes for their welfare. However, he argued that no new initiatives were necessary, given the extensive work already undertaken by PPP. He took a swipe at the Indian government, stating that while he once visited India, he would not do so again due to ongoing tensions. The debate also saw passionate interventions from other PPP members. Jameel Ahmed defended the government's record, asserting that opposition claims of an 'anti-people' budget were exaggerated. He pointed out that taxes had been reduced in the current budget, which he felt was a clear example of the government's pro-people policies. Meanwhile, Khurram Karim Soomro praised Bilawal Bhutto's international advocacy and referenced the recruitment of 74,000 teachers in Sindh's education sector. Women Development Minister Shaheena Sher Ali highlighted her ministry's achievements, including the establishment of Safe Houses and children's play areas across the province. She revealed that Women Complexes in Sukkur and Karachi would be completed by the year's end, and small loans would be provided to women entrepreneurs. She also took a swipe at MQM, accusing them of being politically 'conditioned' to admire the Punjab Chief Minister. The day's heated exchanges culminated in a request from Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, who called for the removal of certain inappropriate remarks from the Assembly record, including mentions of drugs and the former Prime Minister. Deputy Speaker Naveed complied with the request. As the debate continued, PPP MPA Ghulam Qadir Chandio stressed the importance of thoughtful discourse on sensitive issues such as the potential division of Sindh and controversial canal projects on the Indus River. He emphasized the need for sensitivity when discussing such matters. The session concluded with the promise of further discussions on Friday at 10 a.m., as lawmakers from both sides are expected to continue pressing their points and raising the issues that matter most to their constituencies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dar meets MQM delegation
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Thursday, met with the MQM delegation led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Dr Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque, and Javaid Hanif were also part of the delegation. The delegation discussed various matters related to the development budget, constituency-related concerns, and broader political issues. Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive development and assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
