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  • Sindh unveils Rs1.714 trillion budget for 2022/2023

    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.

  • KCCI demands COVID restrictions ease for businesses

    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.

  • Meezan Bank launches second vaccination center

    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

    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.

  • Sindh designates COVID vaccination centers in Karachi

    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.

  • Sindh to set up new industrial zone in Karachi

    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.

  • Industries flay raise in minimum wage by Sindh

    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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  • Minimum wage for unskilled laborers fixed at Rs17,500

    Minimum wage for unskilled laborers fixed at Rs17,500

    KARACHI: Sindh government has fixed minimum wage for unskilled laborers at Rs17,500, a statement said on Wednesday.

    According to the notification issued by Zahid Hussain Khemtio, Chairman, Minimum Wages Board, the Sindh government has fixed  minimum wages of Rs. 17,500 per month for unskilled workers and under the Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015, all industrial and commercial establishments across the province are  bound to pay the fixed wages.

    Chairman Sindh Minimum Wages Board Zahid Hussain Khemtio  said in a statement that if anyone has a complaint in this regard, one should call  these numbers and can lodge one’s complaint on 021-99211344 and 03003013110 and action will be taken against the institution which does not comply with the Act on receipt of the complaint. He further said that the said law is effective from July 1, 2019.

  • Sindh shuts schools till March 13 on Coronavirus fear

    Sindh shuts schools till March 13 on Coronavirus fear

    KARACHI: Sindh government has decided to further extend the closure of schools between March 01 and March 13, 2020 owing to coronavirus threat.

    Senator Saeed Ghani, a provincial minister, in a tweet message said that the Sindh government had decided to extend the closure of all educational institutions till March 13, 2020.

    Earlier, the provincial government after confirmation of coronavirus cases in the country, particularly in Sindh capital and port city Karachi, announced the closure of school on February 27 and February 28, 2020.

    Sources said that the decision to further closure of educational institutions was taken at a meeting chaired by Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh.

    The decision has been taken in order to take precautionary measures in order to avoid spread of the deadly virus.

    The epidemic was detected in Pakistan on February 26, 2020 on persons arriving from Iran. Since than the toll of infected persons with coronavirus increased to four.

    In a press conference Prime Minister’s health adviser Dr Zafar Mirza on Saturday confirmed two more cases in the country.

    He said that one of the patients was from Karachi while the other was from Islamabad. He urged the masses to refrain from panicking.

    He said that the first two patients of the virus “are recovering and one of them will soon be discharged” and added that their clinical treatment was satisfactory and according to the guidelines of the health ministry.

    The presser was held on the sidelines of a government meeting held to discuss the control and prevention of coronavirus with a focus on two themes: scaling up efforts and increasing coordination.

  • Sindh launches action against illegal construction

    Sindh launches action against illegal construction

    KARACHI: The Sindh government has directed authorities to initiate stern action against builders involved in the construction of illegal construction of buildings.

    A meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah was held at his office on Monday.

    The meeting reviewed the incidents of buildings that recently collapsed in Karachi and Sukkur. Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shalwani told that people get the NOC for constructing ground plus one but later build five stories illegally.

    Zaffar Abbas, Director General, Sindh Building Control Authority, informed that the building, which collapsed in Karachi’s Timber Market area was declared dangerous but the residents were not prepared to vacate it.

    Director-General told that currently there were 382 dangerous buildings in the old city area for which the public had been informed through advertisements.

    Chief Secretary directed the DG, SBCA to submit a detailed report about 382 buildings declared dangerous and also initiate action under the law against illegal builders.

    The Chief Secretary constituted a committee headed by Commissioner Karachi for preparing rehabilitation plans for the residents of dangerous buildings.

    The provincial government would establish Sindh Urban and Regional Master Plan Authority 2020 and the draft of the proposed Authority had been sent to the law department for vetting. Soon after the vetting, the draft of the plan would be submitted to the cabinet and the provincial assembly for approval and legislation.

    The officials of local government and planning & development departments gave a detailed presentation on the proposed plan.

    The meeting was informed that legislation is required to establish Sindh Urban and Regional Master Plan Authority separately from Sindh Building Control Authority.

    Chief Secretary directed the Secretary Local Government Roshan Ali Sheikh to submit the Draft Plan to the Cabinet without further delay.