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Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sukkur barrage gate reopens
Sukkur Barrage would become useless in the next 10 years if the water reservoir was not rehabilitated. PHOTO: FILE One of the 16 replaced gates of the Sukkur barrage, whose gates underwent serious damage in June, 2024, was formally opened in Sukkur on Monday by the Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro. Speaking on the occasion, the minister expressed hope that 28 more gates of the 66-gate barrage will also be changed by June, 2026. "We are content to see 16 of the gates replaced successfully so far." According to him, the remaining pocket gates of the barrage will be supplanted in the third year of the project. He pointed out that the Pakistan-India battle, protests against construction of new canals on the Indus River and terrorism incidents impeded timely completion of the first phase. He reiterated that the replacement of the old gates with the mechanized ones will reduce cumulatively 3,500 tones weight from the barrage. Shoro shared that a study is underway to construct a new barrage as a substitute one for the Sukkur barrage. On May 11 this year, the minister had claimed that 14 gates had been changed while two more would follow suit by the end of June. He recalled that after the collapse of one of the gates in June, 2024, and damage to the others, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) necessitated suspension of water supply in the Indus through that barrage so that the repair works can be undertaken. However, such a scenario would have deprived a large number of Sindh's districts from water and that too for several months. As many as seven canals drawn water from this barrage while from its downstream the river flows towards the Kotri barrage, which happens to be the last engineering structure before the river meets the sea, in Jamshoro district. The Sindh government has planned to change 56 out of the 66 gates in a span of three years. The irrigation minister also spoke about the water shortage woes which strike the province since the month of April every year. "Our case has been that we need water in April every year and that in this month we should be given water according to our share," he emphasised. He maintained that if abundant water passes through the Indus river it happens only during monsoon season which often brings flash floods.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA budget debate: Treasury dismisses opposition's claims as ‘unfounded'
KARACHI: Treasury ministers in the Sindh Assembly firmly dismissed opposition claims about the 2025–26 fiscal budget as unfounded, using Saturday's session to outline key achievements and unveil future plans for their respective departments. 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
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Mayor hopes for Rs28b World Bank funded projects for Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro has expressed hope that the development projects worth around Rs28 billion will be started in Hyderabad with the World Bank's financing. Addressing the HMC's council meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday the mayor recalled that soon after assuming the office he had submitted proposals with an array of projects to secure the bank's financing. According to him, most of these projects will be executed in City and Latifabad talukas of Hyderabad, which have hitherto elected legislators from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan in most of the general and local government elections. The mayor claimed that he has already secured Rs5 billion development funds for the development works in Hyderabad from the provincial government. He expressed desire to construct four new water filtration plants in Hyderabad before his four-year term expired. Shoro acknowledged that Hyderabad's infrastructure is in a reasonably poor state. He reminded that Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation as well as the local government department are already executing drainage projects to ease the drainage flows in the city and to prevent overflow from sewers. He also admitted that the problem of encroachment also existed in the city. He informed that a five-member committee, with representation given to one individual from each of the nine Town Municipal Corporations (TMCs), will be formed to submit report on people involved in encroachment. The same committee will also be tasked to stop draining of animal offal in the drainage lines besides launching a crackdown against elements selling adulterated meat and violating regulations set for the meat markets, he added. The mayor told that during his visit to Toledo, a city in Ohio state of the US, he secured an assurance that a million books for libraries in Hyderabad will be provided by that city's government. He added that the HMC will foot the bill for the shipment. He apprised that he also helped Toledo Lords University and Government College University, Hyderabad, sign a memorandum understanding for collaboration in higher education and research. The council's meeting approved bidding for charged car parking in City and Latifabad talukas, action to remove garbage dumping points illegally set up outside the educational institutions and 15% increase in entry fee in Rani Bagh, a recreational facility.
