Karachi, July 11, 2023 – In a move to provide relief to retired civil servants, the Sindh government has officially sanctioned a 17.5 percent increase in net pension, effective from July 1, 2023. This increase will apply to all civil pensioners across the province until further notice.
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Sindh announces tax relief measures in budget 2022-2023
KARACHI: The province of Sindh has announced sales tax relief measures in the budget 2022-2023 presented in the provincial assembly on Tuesday.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced a number of measures to facilitate taxpayers in payment of sales tax on services.
READ MORE: Sindh increases salary by 15% from July 1, 2022
He said relief to public has been provided by extending existing measure to ensure that relief continues to reach common man. For this purpose;
Exemption from SST is being proposed on toll manufacturing services.
READ MORE: Sindh unveils Rs1.714 trillion budget for 2022/2023
5 per cent reduced SST rate for “Recruiting Agents” will continue for next two years i.e. up to 30th June, 2024. This relief is proposed for Pakistanis aspiring to work overseas.
Services provided by Cable TV Operators are levied at a reduced rate of 10 per cent, the existing relief is proposed to be extended for a further period of two years ending on 30th June, 2024.
Whereas, the following cable TV operators are proposed to be exempt:
a) Cable TV Operators in rural areas under PEMRA License of “R” Category to be exempt from SST till 30th June, 2023.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa raises salary, pension by 15%
The rate of SST on commission charges received by food delivery channels (i.e. Foodpanda, Cheetay Logistics, etc.) from Home Chefs is proposed to be reduced from 13 per cent to 8 per cent for a period of two (2) years ending on 30th June, 2024. This relief is proposed in order to encourage small scale businesses. In all other cases, the services provided or rendered by Commission Agents shall continue to be liable to SST at 13 per cent.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presents Rs1.33 trillion budget 2022-2023
The existing exemption on health insurance services is proposed to continue further for a period of one year till 30th June, 2023.
GIZ, a German development agency, facilitating development projects in Sindh, is proposed to be granted conditional exemption on Sales tax on services as indirect relief to the Public.
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Sindh increases salary by 15% from July 1, 2022
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday announced a 15 per cent raise in salary of provincial government employees and 5 per cent increase in pension effective from July 01, 2022.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced raise in pay and pension while presenting the provincial budget 2022-2023.
READ MORE: Sindh unveils Rs1.714 trillion budget for 2022/2023
The chief minister announced various relief measures for employees and pensioners during next fiscal year.
He said Adhoc Relief Allowances 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 at the rates admissible to employees of Federal Government are being merged and Revised Basic Pay Scale 2022 for Civil Servants of Government of Sindh is being introduced on the pattern of Federal Government.
Adhoc Relief Allowance at the rate of 15 per cent of Basic Pay Scales to Civil Servants of Government of Sindh w.e.f. 1st July 2022 is proposed.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa raises salary, pension by 15%
Disparity Allowance at the rate of 33 per cent of Basic Pay will be paid to Civil Servants in BPS-1 to 16 and at the rate of 30 per cent to Civil Servants in BPS-17 and above in lieu of the differential rate of Ad-hoc Relief Allowances 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021, which are being abolished w.e.f 1st July, 2022.
Pensioners of Government of Sindh were already getting 22.5 per cent more increase in net pension than pensioners of Federal Government till February 2022. Therefore, an increase at the rate of 5 per cent of net pension will be paid to the pensioners of the Sindh Government w.e.f 1st July, 2022.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presents Rs1.33 trillion budget 2022-2023
Thus, after announcement of 10 per cent increase in net pension by Federal Government in March 2022 and enhancement of the rate of increase to 15 per cent from 1st July 2022, the pensioners of Government of Sindh will still be getting 12.5 per cent more of net pension than the pensioners of Federal Government.
READ MORE: Advance tax on immovable property purchase enhanced to 250% for non-filers
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Sindh unveils Rs1.714 trillion budget for 2022/2023
KARACHI: Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh on Tuesday presented provincial budget 2022-2023 with total outlay of Rs1.714 trillion.
The province estimated the deficit budget amounting Rs33.85 billion for the next fiscal year.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa raises salary, pension by 15%
The chief minister said that the total budget outlay for Financial Year 2022-2023 is estimated at Rs.1.714 trillion, as against budget estimate of Rs.1.478 trillion for 2021-2022, showing overall increase of 15.9 per cent.
The current expenditure of the province is projected at Rs.1.254 trillion, which includes current revenue expenditure of Rs. 1.199 trillion and current capital expenditure of Rs.54.5 billion.
This is 73.2 per cent of total expenditure of the province and shows an increase of 9.1 per cent in comparison to the current expenditure for last year that was Rs.1.148 trillion.
READ MORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presents Rs1.33 trillion budget 2022-2023
The chief minister said that for the next financial year, size of development budget will be Rs459.658 billion as compared to Rs. 329.033 billion in year 2021-2022, that will include Rs. 332.165 billion for Provincial Annual Development Plan (ADP) and Rs.30.00 billion for Districts ADP.
Foreign project assistance of Rs.91.468 billion from the development partners and Rs.6.025 billion are expected from Federal PSDP grant for schemes being executed by Government of Sindh.
Murad Ali Shah said shift in federal priorities during last four years caused the people of the second largest province face deprivation due to lack of infrastructure development and non-provision basic health facilities in rural areas.
READ MORE: Advance tax on immovable property purchase enhanced to 250% for non-filers
“Despite these difficulties we maintained our resolve towards our development objectives,” he added.
Hence, next year’s ADP will include schemes to provide basic facilities to the marginalized segments of society. More resources are being allocated for water and sanitation, road network, transport, health and education sectors to provide maximum relief to the common people in the next year’s ADP.
There are 2,506 ongoing schemes with allocation of Rs. 253.146 billion being 75 per cent of total ADP.
There are 1,652 new schemes with allocation of Rs.79.02 billion being 25 per cent age of total ADP
On-Going schemes where more than 70 per cent expenditure is made, have been fully funded for completion by June, 2023.
More than 1,510 schemes have been fully funded and are expected to be completed in next financial year 2022-23.
READ MORE: Pakistan massively increases taxation on motor vehicles
Allocation for Education Sector schemes is Rs. 34.22 billion (10.2 per cent of the total size).
Allocation for Health Sector schemes is Rs. 23.33 billion (6.5 per cent of the total size).
Allocation for Water and Sanitation Sector (PHE & LG) is Rs. 59.36 billion (18 per cent of the total size).
Allocation for Agriculture & Livestock sector is Rs 10.2 billion (3 per cent of total size)
Allocation for Irrigation including lining is Rs. 32.5 billion (12 per cent of the total size).
Allocation for Transport & Communication (Road under W&S and LG) sector is Rs. 100.64 billion (30 per cent of the total size).
Allocation for Karachi based schemes is Rs. 118 billion, Rs.72 billion under ADP, Rs. 5 billion under District ADP and Rs. 41 billion through Foreign Project Assistance.
Keeping in view the above non-development and development expenditure priorities, the major milestones of our objectives are:
READ MORE: New rates of capital gain tax on disposal of securities
Provide infrastructure to educational institutions for increased enrolment.
Improve and Upgrade health facilities and manage available health institutions
Provide nutrition support, community infrastructure funds, income generating grants, micro assets, and low cost housing for reducing poverty of poorest of the poor.
Increase agricultural productivity and value chain, Conservation of water for agriculture, industrial and municipal consumption.
Provide clean drinking water and safe disposal of sewerage.
Improve connectivity between major cities and towns of province.
Increase road connectivity and planned mass transit for Karachi city.
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KCCI demands COVID restrictions ease for businesses
KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded the Sindh government to ease restrictions imposed related to business hours for markets and commercial activities.
Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Shariq Vohra have appealed to the Sindh Government to have mercy on perturbed small traders, shopkeepers, and restaurant businesses who must be allowed to keep their business activities operational throughout the week from Monday to Saturday without any closure on Friday whereas the business timings must also be extended till 10:00 PM.
Expressing deep concerns over an ongoing sit-in and hunger strike by shopkeepers and small traders along with owners of restaurants and marriage halls, Zubair Motiwala and Shariq Vohra requested the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Information Saeed Ghani and Minister for Industries Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo to intervene in this matter and issue directives to ease the curbs on local businesses in Karachi otherwise many businesses, who are at the verge of complete collapse and bankruptcy, would vanish forever.
Millions of people associated with all these businesses would die themselves due to mental torture, hunger, poverty, and joblessness instead of dying because of the pandemic, they cautioned.
They pointed out that there was a clear disparity going on as the businesses in Punjab, other parts of the country and even in other cities all over Sindh excluding Karachi and Hyderabad have been allowed to stay operational throughout the week and up to 10:00 PM which has triggered a sense of deprivation amongst the business community of Karachi and Hyderabad.
They said that associations of commercial markets from all over the city have been constantly approaching KCCI so that the Chamber, being the premier and actual representative of the entire business community, could play its role by convincing the Sindh government to allow businesses to keep on operating throughout the week except Sundays.
Meanwhile, they have also assured that all shopkeepers and their staff have got themselves vaccinated and they were also prepared to fully comply with all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) notified by the government.
Keeping in view the overall situation and grievances suffered by small traders and shopkeepers in an extraordinary situation, Zubair Motiwala and Shariq Vohra hoped that the Sindh government, which has always played the lead role in efficiently rescuing the public from time to time, would provide the desperately needed relief to local businesses this time as well by relaxing the curbs and allowing the businesses to operate from Monday to Saturday up to 10:00 PM so that they could be saved from further disaster.
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Meezan Bank launches second vaccination center
KARACHI: Meezan Bank Limited, in collaboration with the Sindh government and DHA Karachi, has launched second COVID-19 drive-through vaccination centre.
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Meezan Bank launches COVID vaccination center
KARACHI: Meezan Bank Limited, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank, on Saturday launched Pakistan’s largest drive-through COVID vaccination center.
The bank launched the vaccination center in collaboration with the Sindh government in Karachi.
The Facility is situated at central location of Karachi in Gulberg Town at Afghan Ground, Block 19, F.B. Area, opposite Afroze Textile and adjacent Happy Palace School.
The Vaccination Centre was inaugurated today by Barrister Murtaza Wahab – Spokesperson Government of Sindh & Administrator Karachi which was personally overseen by the Bank’s Founding President & CEO – Irfan Siddiqui.
Also present at the occasion was Taha Saleem – Deputy Commissioner, Central Karachi and the Bank’s Senior Management including Muhammad Raza – Group Head, Customer Support and Riaz Ahmed – Head Administration, among others.
With a total of twenty-four booths operating from 4:00pm to 12:00am, the facility will operate seven days a week, providing thousands of adults a safer way of getting vaccinated while observing social distancing rules.
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Sindh designates COVID vaccination centers in Karachi
KARACHI: The Sindh Government on Sunday designated centers for COVID vaccination in Karachi in order to facilitate general public.
Following are the hospitals for corona vaccinations:
01. District Karachi East: DOW OJHA CAMPUS
02. District Karachi South: I. Khaliq Dino Hall; II. JPMC; III. Lyari General Hospital
03. District Karachi Central: I. Children Hospital; II. Sindh Government (SG) Hospital New Karachi; III. SG Hospital Liaquatabad
04. District Karachi West: Sindh Government Qatar Hospital
05. District Karachi Malir: SG Hospital Murad Memon Goth
06. District Karachi Korangi: SG Hospital Korangi-05; SG Hospital, Saudabad, Karachi.
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Sindh to set up new industrial zone in Karachi
KARACHI: The Sindh government has expedited work on a proposal to set up a new industrial zone “NKATI 2” like North Karachi Industrial Area.
For this purpose a site is being sought and in consultation with the North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry (NKATI). It will be finalized later.
This was stated by Minister Information & Local Government Sindh, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah during a meeting with a delegation led by Faisal Moiz Khan, President NKATI, SVP Shabir Ismail and Syed Yasir Hussain, Chairman Sub-Committee Local Bodies at his residence.
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah further said that promotion of trade & industry is the top priority of Sindh government and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto has also the same vision.
Therefore, all resources will be utilized to create vast employment opportunities and promote industrialization. He also directed the MD Water Board to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to the industries.
The Provincial Minister also assured the Sindh Building Control Authority to regularize the factories located in North Karachi Industrial Area and solve the issues related to District Municipal Corporation. He further said that Capt. A Moiz Khan Road would also be inaugurated and a notification would be issued soon.
In a meeting with the Provincial Minister, Faisal Moiz Khan, President NKATI, apprised the industrialists of the problems faced by them, and said that production activities were being severely affected due to non-supply of water to North Karachi industries. However, the issues related to DMC are also increasing day by day which needs immediate attention.
“The Sindh government should set up a new industrial zone like North Karachi Industrial Zone to promote industries so that more and more new industries could be set up and vast employment opportunities could be created”, he suggested. Faisal Moiz Khan also requested the provincial minister to regularize the factories from Sindh Building Control Authority.
Expressing satisfaction over the assurance of the provincial minister to resolve the issues under discussion at the meeting, NKATI president said that industrialists would extend all possible cooperation with Sindh government to increase production activities and promote industries.
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Industries flay raise in minimum wage by Sindh
In a significant development, the Sindh Government’s decision to unilaterally increase the minimum wage from Rs17,500 to Rs25,000 has stirred discontent and alarm within the industrial sector, particularly in Karachi.
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