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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>President gives assent to budget for 2012</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399687/zardari-assents-of-budget-for-2012</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399687/zardari-assents-of-budget-for-2012#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 12 19:15:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[pid.]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Budget had been passed by the National Assembly on June 14. Will come into effect from July 1, 2012.]]>
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				<![CDATA[President Asif Ali Zardari today assented to the Finance Bill 2012 to give effect to the financial proposals of the government for the financial year beginning July 1, 2012 and to amend certain laws.

Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President signed the bill on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Finance Bill had been passed by the National Assembly on the June14, 2012.]]>
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			<title>2012-13 fiscal year: Gilgit-Baltistan unveils Rs19b budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399240/2012-13-fiscal-year-gilgit-baltistan-unveils-rs19b-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399240/2012-13-fiscal-year-gilgit-baltistan-unveils-rs19b-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 12 04:25:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[shabbir.mir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Gilgit Baltistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399240</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Up to 32.2% of budget fixed to overcome energy crisis.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A total annual budget of Rs19.39 billion for the year 2012-13 was presented in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Monday.


As Finance Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar read out the budget speech, an opposition legislator Nawaz Khan Naji stormed out of the house, terming the proceedings an exercise in futility.  On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Janbaz Khan remained tight-lipped throughout the session.

The 22nd session of the assembly was chaired by Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig and also attended by Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah.

The total amount earmarked for the development sector was Rs8.39 billion, whereas the non-development budget amounted to Rs11 billion.

“It’s a success of our government that last year our budget was Rs15 billion while this year it has crossed the Rs19 billion figure,” said Akhtar.

The breakdown of the non-development budget included Rs6.40 billion for government salaries while more than Rs716 million was proposed for official expenditures. The finance minister went on to add that Rs2.072 million had been proposed for retired employees.

Power sector  

To overcome the energy crisis, a staggering Rs2.190 billion was proposed for the power sector which amounts to 32.2% of the total budget. Akhtar said the government planned to complete 25 projects which would generate 14 megawatts of power.

The transport and communication sector was allotted Rs1.240 billion, which amounts to 18.3% of the total budget. On the other hand, the proposed budget for education stood slightly over Rs361 million, an underwhelming 5.3% of the total budget. Rs257 million has been allocated for the health sector, Rs112 million for the agriculture sector and Rs800 million for the environment and forests sectors.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Glimmer of hope?: ‘Sceptics...see the development funds’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399168/glimmer-of-hope-%e2%80%98sceptics-see-the-development-funds%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399168/glimmer-of-hope-%e2%80%98sceptics-see-the-development-funds%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 12 20:25:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399168</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CM says people criticising the govt should see the developmental budget, our-year progress of the government.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Winding up the budget discussion, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that the people criticising the government should see the developmental budget and the four-year progress of the government. Criticising Nawaz Sharif and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, he said that they are playing politics with the miseries of people.


“The Sindhi nationalists have taken shelter with the man [Nawaz] who has been a supporter of the Kalabagh Dam and whose politics revolve around anti-Sindh issues,” said Shah. “They are political orphans and are now criticising the government.”

The chief minister also announced an increase in the MPA fund from Rs60 million to Rs80 million and as token of appreciation of the Sindh Planning and Development Department’s staff in preparing the budget documents, announced a bonus in the form of three monthly salaries.

Shah also appreciated the role played by the coalition partners in the PPP-led government.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sindh Assembly: Amid many  complaints, budget session fizzles out</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399165/sindh-assembly-amid-many-complaints-budget-session-fizzles-out</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399165/sindh-assembly-amid-many-complaints-budget-session-fizzles-out#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 12 19:48:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399165</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Some MPAs feel that a policy shift is urgently required.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Complaints of water shortage, inflation, rising corruption in the education department and the deteriorating law and order in the province ringed throughout the Sindh Assembly session on Monday.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Sindh Information Technology Minister Raza Haroon said that hefty developmental funds were allocated in the past four years, but the development is still not visible. He advised the chief minister and the finance minister to release budgetary funds from the first month, so that the fruit can be reaped by the people in the fifth year.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) reminded the house that former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and former Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim were elected from Thar but they ignored their area. He said that Rs2 billion worth development works have been initiated in his constituency by the current government.

National Peoples Party’s (NPP) Arif Mustafa Jatoi was of the view that people are not interested in the budget, but the benefits they receive. Terming the Sindh budget as “good overall”, he said that inflation has increased manifold during the present government’s tenure. During the past four years, the prices of flour have increased by 60 per cent, tomatoes by 50 per cent, potatoes 80 per cent and that of onion by 100 per cent, Jatoi said. The price of cement has increased by 50 per cent, he added.

“The announcement of 20,000 jobs may only have a slight impact as the province’s population has witnessed an increase of at least 1.3 million this year. Every year the government promises to end the energy crisis by December 31, which may never come,” opined the NPP member.

MQM’s provincial minister for youth affairs, Faisal Subzwari, said that though allocations for the social sector and infrastructure have been increased, but there is a need of major policy shift.

Opposing the establishment of the proposed Zulfikarabad city in Thatta, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Shah Hussain Shirazi feared that the natives will become a minority due to the possible influx of outsiders in the new city.

Water shortage

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s Sindh Science and Technology Minister Jam Madad Ali complained that his district has been deprived of irrigation water at the cultivation time of Kharif crops.

He said that his requests to the chief minister, irrigation minister and Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority have fallen on deaf ears. “I am now tired of complaining. I think time has come now to either stage a sit-in inside the assembly or protest outside it,” he lamented.

The irrigation minister assured the house that the water situation will improve within the next four to five days.

‘Tabla politics’

During his speech on budget, Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani started lambasting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan. He said that Imran had supported the referendum of General Pervez Musharraf and now he is trying to make an alliance with the nationalists in Sindh. “He has started ‘tabla politics’ by introducing music at public gatherings,” said Durrani.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sindh’s budget sails through assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399170/no-problemo-sindh%e2%80%99s-budget-sails-through-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399170/no-problemo-sindh%e2%80%99s-budget-sails-through-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 12 19:47:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399170</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Provincial legislature unanimously approves Rs542b budget for next fiscal year.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[With no member either from the opposition or the treasury benches presenting a cut motion against expenditures, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government won unanimous approval for its Rs542 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.


The Rs150 billion supplementary budget for the year 2011-12 was also passed by the house, after a lengthy discussion in which around 99 members of the assembly took part, beginning from June 4.

Responding to the feedbacks given by MPAs, Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah said that Rs140 billion would be spent on development by the end of the financial year. Setting aside the allegations of utilising meagre amounts of development budget, he said that the government had released Rs23 billion in the first financial quarter, but due to lack of interest on the part of departments, the budget was not used timely.

Earlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Sardar Ahmed informed the house that cut motions were a requirement of the budget, but no member came forward to present the applications.

Regarding the law and order situation, he said that Rs39 billion have been set aside, but the situation can only be improved through structural changes. “We once again suggest establishing provincial-level intelligence bureau to control the security situation,” he added.  Ahmed also asked the government to provide subsidy on flour. “People in Karachi are getting a tandoori roti at Rs4, which is being sold in restaurants at Rs30,” he said.

He appreciated the government’s effort to generate the power from coal, but stressed the need to focus on alternate energy. “There is great potential of ocean energy and we can generate power from the tidal waves in Karachi,” he said. “There is massive potential of wind and solar energy in Sindh as well.”

The MQM legislator also proposed setting up monitoring committees at provincial and district levels to review the three-month progress of the budgetary funds’ utilisation.

Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazarul Haq said that he had proposed a “school specific budget” and would open one separate Cambridge school for boys and girls in every district of Sindh. According to the plan, every tehsil would have a degree college.

The minister said that as a token of appreciation, each girl student will be given a stipend of Rs1,000 yearly in the upcoming budget. He said that they have upgraded 800 primary schools to middle; 300 middle schools to high schools; and 50 high schools to higher secondary schools. “We have made a law under which education is the fundamental right for the children between the age of five and 16 years, and education is free for them,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punjab’s budgetary allocations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397126/punjab%e2%80%99s-budgetary-allocations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397126/punjab%e2%80%99s-budgetary-allocations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 12 17:56:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Dr Pervez Tahir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397126</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[As expected, the Punjab budget for 2012-13 is a tit for tat response to fiscal profligacy of the federal government.]]>
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				<![CDATA[While delivering his budget speech in the Punjab Assembly, in an environment a lot more congenial than that faced by the federal finance minister in the National Assembly, the newly appointed provincial finance minister, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, made frequent use of the word ‘transparency’. However, till the time of writing this article, the website of the Government of Punjab was completely shut off. In the absence of the budget documents, the article had to be completed on the basis of the budget speech alone, telecast by a single and rather inaudible TV channel, which contained only partial information.

As expected, the Punjab budget for 2012-13 is a tit for tat response to the fiscal profligacy of the federal government. Like the federal budget, its emphasis is on expenditure to maximise electoral returns. Government employees are to receive a 20 per cent increase in pays and pensions. Some 300,000 temporary or permanent jobs have been promised through interest-free loans, internships for graduates, filling of vacancies, new recruitment in the police and education departments and various technical and vocational training schemes have also been promised. The federally announced minimum wage for industrial workers has been topped up by Rs1,000 to Rs9,000. Rural palliatives include the five-marla plots for the homeless, 12.5 acres of state land for the landless and the extension of the katchi abadi law. Pet urban programmes like the Danish Schools, women and IT universities, Ashiana Housing Scheme and model bazaars continue with larger expenditure and coverage being allocated for them. More projects can be added as Rs40 billion, or 16 per cent of the development budget, is kept in the handy category of miscellany. This head actually consumes the entire ‘record’ increase over last year’s development programme. Cheap flour, Ramzan packages and public transport get Rs32 billion in subsidies. Energy — the shortage of which has brought the chief minister out on the streets of Lahore to lead a public protest — gets Rs10 billion.

Although the elected district governments have withered away, perhaps forever, the Provincial Finance Commission award continues. A large sum of Rs210 billion goes under this head. Under a bureaucratic set up, this is not a disadvantage as elections are approaching. Education and health have been categorised as provincial responsibilities following the Eighteenth Amendment. The finance minister claimed that inclusive of the district provision, the allocation for education and health for 2012-13 will be Rs279 billion, around 36 per cent of the total budget of Punjab comprising Rs782.85 billion, an increase of 14.3 per cent over 2011-12. Impressive though this amount is, its composition is unlikely to bring the province any closer to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

No effort has been made to mobilise additional provincial revenues. The austerity measures announced do not even convey a symbolic message. Revenue transfers under the NFC Award (83 per cent) and the normal increase in the provincial revenue heads constitute a resource envelope of Rs781 billion against an expenditure of around Rs783 billion. There is, thus, a small deficit of two billion rupees, which means that the province is not contributing to the provincial surplus as expected by the federal budget to keep the overall fiscal deficit at a lower level. An inexplicable discrepancy is that the federal budget shows an NFC transfer to Punjab of Rs710.3 billion, but the Punjab finance minister mentioned a sum of only Rs650 billion. Ominously, the minister compared the financial health of the Government of Punjab with the Bank of Punjab. Or, was this the result of a rapid turnover of finance ministers in the province?

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Marred by walkouts, K-P passes budget for fiscal year 2012-2013</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396983/marred-by-walkouts-k-p-passes-budget-for-fiscal-year-2012-2013</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396983/marred-by-walkouts-k-p-passes-budget-for-fiscal-year-2012-2013#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 12 02:58:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396983</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Only two cut motions were allowed.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly on Wednesday approved the budget for fiscal year 2012-13 even as the opposition benches remained vacant and the the lengthy session was marred by walkouts.

The assembly entertained cut motions for only 10 out of 59 demands for grants. When Speaker Kiramatullah Khan announced to approve the rest of demands without discussion, members of the opposition gathered around the Speaker, upon which the session was adjourned for 15 minutes.

When the session resumed, the Speaker did not allow cut motions. On this the opposition walked out of the house in protest leaving treasury benches to their own whims.

The drama was not over yet though.

The government had to face further embarrassment when some members from the treasury benches followed the opposition members out Assembly to stage their own protest.

At the start of session, female lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches had stood up and asked to be allowed to speak at Awami National Party (ANP) law maker Yasmeen Zia’s maltreatment by the police. Zia told the house that her sons and their cousin were detained by University Town police before being tortured. The MPA said that when she and her husband arrived at police station to sort the matter out, they too were detained, while her husband was tortured. She demanded the house take notice of the incident and the maltreatment meted out.

Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that government has taken some remedial steps, such as launching an inquiry. Following which the aggrieved lawmaker did not bring the issue to the notice of the house. He said that police had allegedly provided CCTV footage of the incident to some television channels in order to strengthen their case. Hussain also voiced his displeasure at police conduct saying he was not satisfied with their treatment of the case.

Excise and Taxation Minister Liaqat Shahbab demanded that the concerned officials should be immediately put in lock up for the attack. If that could not be done, then all the ministers should resign.

Opposition leader Akram Khan Durrani also called for exemplary punishment. Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour in his speech announced that government will hold a judicial inquiry of this incident.

However, this announcement was not well received by lawmakers from both sides of the house, as opposition members first staged a walkout and they were also followed by female members of the treasury benches.

This led to an adjournment of stipulated for 15 minutes, but it extended up to an hour, during which ministers shuttled between the chambers of the Opposition Leader chamber and the female lawmakers.

When the session restarted, Bilour told the house that the SP allegedly responsible for leaking footage to the media was being relieved of his post and was being sent back to the federal government. He also announced to form a committee comprising members of all parties to investigate the incident and present its report within a week.

However, these measures failed to bring an end to the resentment of the house, upon which Speaker Chagarmati ruled that the concerned officials’ services should be immediately returned to the federal government and a committee of parliamentary leaders should investigate this incident and present its report within two days.

Following this episode Speaker announced the budget approved without cut motions; Opposition lawmakers though protested the decision. This time, the Speaker allowed lawmakers to speak on cut motions of a Rs913 million grant for the prison department, followed by motions on the police department.

However, after going through police department’s budget, the Speaker once again announced to approve the budget without taking cut motions on the rest of demands. This prompted the Opposition members to protest and when session re-started following adjournment, they staged a walkout. The treasury benches though proceeded to adopted the rest of demands within an hour's time.

The session was adjourned till Thursday evening.

Interestingly, the topic of disqualification of prime minister, which the house had protested a day earlier, did not come up on the agenda.]]>
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			<title>The BackBencher: MPA’s razor-sharp wit has assembly in fits of laughter</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396659/the-backbencher-mpa%e2%80%99s-razor-sharp-wit-has-assembly-in-fits-of-laughter</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396659/the-backbencher-mpa%e2%80%99s-razor-sharp-wit-has-assembly-in-fits-of-laughter#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 12 22:53:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396659</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP members offer tribute to the disqualified prime minister.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The poetry-quoting Rauf Siddiqui, Sindh minister for industries, told Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza this week that she had “the hardest job in the world, which is to listen”, while he had the easiest one which is “to talk”.

And on Wednesday, Raza proved that even though she looked like she was about to pass out in her seat for want of sleep, she insisted on letting the budget debate run past 1 pm and 2 pm to – gasp! – 3 pm.

But it wasn’t all yawns and yaps. Predictably enough, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members were on the defensive, full of tributes for the man who recently lost his job as prime minister to proclaiming how much better they were than the ‘other’ parties who storm the Supreme Court. According to the many loud speeches, Yousaf Raza Gilani’s name will be written in “golden letters”, he is a “historic” figure and the PPP is just never going to get justice.

Shehla Raza wasn’t above making a jibe of her own. When she asked Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon to return to his seat in the back row instead of the one he’d appropriated for himself in the front, she quipped: “Look, he didn’t argue. At least someone knows how to respect the speaker’s ruling.”

A word of praise is also due to the finance secretary, or, as MPA Bachal Shah called him on Wednesday, the “budget secretary”.

The man has sat through the budget debate for the past few days, scribbling away notes and occasionally smiling at some of the more hilarious speakers. There was plenty to be amused about on Wednesday. Bachal Shah also said, quite notably, that the poor people in the province had no “heating or cooling during the weather” and Sindh Transport Minister Akhtar Jadoon drew up visions of an oil terminal that – in a twist on roti, kapra aur makan – will have “shops like Hyperstar” and “facilities like McDonald’s”. But the winning speech of the day was Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s (PML-F) Rana Abdul Sattar’s side-splitting speech that literally had the aisles rolling in laughter.

Sattar was almost like a stand-up comedian and his speech spared no one. On minorities, he asked “What minorities? They’re our brothers. They are a majority”, on the Mohajir province movement he asked “What Mohajirs? People who’ve been here for 60 or 70 years and make speeches in Sindhi aren’t Mohajirs”, and on the oft-quoted need for a police ‘operation’, he stated “We need a surgery, not an operation”. When it came to development, he was quick to remark “We have two ministers from the same constituency – the PML-F’s Jam Madad Ali and the PPP’s Shazia Marri. Please ask Shazia how she travels from Tando Adam to her village. There’s no road there.”

Sattar scathingly described the state of security in Karachi. “We don’t leave our house for five days because we’re scared someone might shoot us. When we get to our village, we leave the gunman and walk freely.”

And the man who was the centre of attention on Tuesday, the PPP’s Sardar Ahmed Ali Khan Pitafi, was found in a huddle with the party’s parliamentary leader Pir Mazharul Haq, who appeared to be taking notes of whatever Pitafi was telling him. Perhaps the full-fledged drumming the PPP received at Pitafi’s hands has had some impact, but will this signal more dissenters emerging from within the aisles? Haq can only hope not.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The nightmare of budget invalidation deemed unlikely</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396316/the-nightmare-of-budget-invalidation-deemed-unlikely</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396316/the-nightmare-of-budget-invalidation-deemed-unlikely#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 12 04:11:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[farooq.tirmizi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396316</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court, legal precedent seen as too pragmatic to risk the fate of the economy over one case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Nobody expects the court would be so reckless as to invalidate the passage of the federal budget. Because if they are, they will unleash an economic nightmare.


Consider the facts: Article 74 of the Constitution requires the approval of the federal Cabinet, led by the prime minister, for a budget to be presented before parliament. This was done on the morning of June 1. That evening, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh formally presented the budget in the National Assembly.

Now the Supreme Court is saying that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified from holding office on April 26. If that is true, and if the court decides that the prime minister’s decision to approve the budget is not valid, then that means the budget was not validly presented to parliament and hence its passage in the National Assembly is also void.

Consider for a moment what would happen if that were the case. The government then has 11 days till June 30 to elect a new prime minister, approve the budget in the Cabinet again, present it to the National Assembly, send it to the Senate for recommendations, and then pass it again in the National Assembly. Given the pace at which our government moves, that seems a tall order.

So what happens if the budget is not approved in time? The government’s expenses for everything starting July 1 will not have been approved and thus will not be paid. The direct personal impact will be on the 1.4 million government employees, who will not get their salaries. Ironically, this includes Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry himself. Millions more pensioners will also not get paid.

But the much larger problem is government debt. The government has approximately Rs1 trillion in short-term debt that needs to be rolled over next quarter, a significant percentage of which will need to be done next month. In addition, interest payments on the remaining government debt need to made.

The overwhelming bulk of this debt is held by the banking system. The banks have already dramatically scaled back lending to the private sector in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. If they can now no longer rely on the government making interest payments on its debt on time, that is likely to create a wave of uncertainty that may well cause the banking system to freeze.

While it is likely that ATMs will continue working and ordinary cash transactions with banks will still take place, lending is likely to dry up. Businesses will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to finance their day-to-day operations, let alone expansion plans. In essence, we may return to what happened in late 2008, when the banking system froze and the rupee fell by over 29% as people moved their money out of the country. And Pakistan’s economy today is much more fragile than it had been in the run-up to that crisis.

Most analysts believe that the Supreme Court is highly unlikely to invalidate the budget. “The day-to-day activities of the government will always be validated by the Supreme Court if it is challenged because they want order to prevail in the country. Any activity that is ordinarily legal will likely to be automatically upheld,” said Zain Sheikh, a constitutional lawyer based out of Karachi.

Market analysts concur with this judgement. “I don’t think the nightmare scenario will play out. I don’t think the Supreme Court will unleash that level of uncertainty,” said Imtiaz Gadar, a banking sector analyst and economist at KASB Securities, an investment bank.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sindh Assembly: MPAs continue to debate about budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395670/sindh-assembly-mpas-continue-to-debate-about-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/395670/sindh-assembly-mpas-continue-to-debate-about-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 12 21:02:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=395670</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lawmakers point out some loopholes and places overlooked by the budget.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The provincial budget remained one of the most salient issues discussed on Monday in the Sindh Assemby session, with certain MPAs using the most creative analogies to express their dissent. Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) MPA Nadeem Maqbool said, “The budget seems like a pack of Gold Leaf. But when you open it, all that can be found inside is ‘beeri’.”

Maqbool went on to say that though 20 per cent of the budget had been allocated to education, the quality of instruction at government schools was declining. “In the last 16 years, not a single student enrolled in a government school has been a position-holder. I think it will only be possible to improve the quality of education at these schools if our own children are enrolled in them.”

He continued that though the president had ordered for Rs5 billion to be allocated to the installation of surveillance systems in Karachi, it will not work until the police is given a free hand to control the law-and-order situation.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Humera Alwani also showed alarm at the state of education in the province, where 4.6 million children are not going to school and 70 per cent of the educational institutions for girls were not functional.

Alwani also voiced her concern about the Sindh government’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. Referring to a recent report released by the National Disaster Management Authority, she said. “The infrastructure is not strong enough to withstand another super flood. Heavy rain has been forecast for the first week of July and 16 districts are in danger.” She added that 144 spots along the Indus River were declared to be sensitive, out of which 12 are most vulnerable.

Chettan Mal Arwani, of the Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded, said that some districts had been neglected in the budget and demanded a strict monitoring and evaluation system to check the use of funds.

“Who will act against the town municipal administrators who spend the monthly budget of around Rs15 to Rs16 million in just one or two days without even beginning development work?” he asked. “Special packages were given to cities which influential people belong to, but the most vulnerable cities like Tharparkar, Thatta and Badin, were neglected.”

Arwani also said that billions of rupees were allocated to law and order, but the kidnapping cases had made the lives of minorities miserable. “They are being kidnapped and women are forced to convert,” he declared. “The Hindus are sons of this soil too. A conspiracy is being hatched to force them to leave Sindh.”

He went on to compare the Zulfikarabad project to Kalabagh Dam and said that the residents of Thatta district should be taken into confidence. “Allotting millions of acres of land has been cancelled to make way for the mega city,” he said. “Every Sindhi will oppose the project till it is shelved.”

He added that new jobs were promised in the budget, but no effort had been made to offer permanent employment to contractual workers.

Another PPP MPA, Ghulam Mohammad Shahliani, said that he was happy with the amount allocated to the health and education. But he demanded an inquiry into the distribution of Watan Cards amongst the flood survivors. “My district, Jacobabad, was most vulnerable, but many of its residents have not yet gotten Watan Cards.”

During the session, rich tributes were paid to PPP leader Fauzia Wahab, who passed away on Sunday. Later, deputy speaker Shahela Raza adjourned the session till Tuesday to mourn Wahab’s death.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Weekly review: Budget saves bourse from further slide</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394878/weekly-review-budget-saves-bourse-from-further-slide</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394878/weekly-review-budget-saves-bourse-from-further-slide#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jun 12 04:46:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[bilal.umar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394878</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Volumes plummet as foreign investors divest from the market.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The approval of the budget for the 2013 fiscal year rescued the stock market from spiraling downwards, as the benchmark KSE-100 index ended the week with a modest gain of 107 points or 0.8% during the week.


The week started off on a negative note as investor participation remained low in the opening few days. The index dropped 1.5% in the opening three days of the week, before the National Assembly passed the bill for the fiscal year 2013.

The passing of the budget brought about renewed interest in the market. Investors responded by actively participating in the market on Thursday, when the KSE-100 index posted a gain of 2.1% to make up for its earlier losses.

Domestic politics were at the forefront during the week, as it emerged that the son of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was involved in taking huge bribes from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, so that he could use his ties to resolve pending cases against the tycoon. As a result, the judiciary came under scrutiny and the news dominated headlines for the majority of the week.

The rally was led by local market participants as foreigners continued to offload their holdings in the country’s bourses, following the rapid depreciation of the rupee in May. Foreigners offloaded $17.6 million during the week, following the $16.8 million offloaded in the previous week.

The foreign offloading excluded the $83 million sale of the Hub Power Company (Hubco) shares by the National Power International Holdings B.V to the Dawood Group and Allied Bank Limited, which is also considered as a foreign outflow of funds. Hubco outperformed the market during the week, following the approval of the revised tariff for its Narowal project.

The automobile sector had news to rejoice as sales grew 26% during May. The strong performer of the week was Pak Suzuki Motor Company with share value climbing 5.4% during the week.

On the macro front, remittances continued their impressive run, clocking in at $1.2 billion, up 4% over the previous month.

Volumes dropped 9.3% during the week and stood at 86.4 million shares traded per day, following the 32.2% decline in the previous week. Volumes have again faded to double digits after an impressive showing in the first five months of the year.

Average daily value remained steady at Rs3.2 billion shares as investors focus shifted towards blue-chip stocks. The market capitalisation of the KSE increased 0.6% to Rs3.49 trillion by the end of the week.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget 2013: After a week of weak debate, assembly approves 1% of spending</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394622/budget-2013-after-a-week-of-weak-debate-assembly-approves-1-of-spending</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394622/budget-2013-after-a-week-of-weak-debate-assembly-approves-1-of-spending#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 12 07:58:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[manzoor.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394622</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lawmakers approve three grants worth Rs2.2 billion of the Rs303-billion outlay.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A week after the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) budget was presented to the provincial assembly, lawmakers have managed to approve less than one per cent of the total spending outlay.

On Friday, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly approved grants of up to Rs2.2 billion under three demands for different departments after a speech by Provincial Finance Minister Muhammad Humayun Khan.

To catch up with the schedule and wind-up the budget debate, the meeting was held at 10am ahead of the scheduled time of 5pm.

The demands included Rs79.5 million for the assembly itself, Rs1.4 million for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa establishment and development department and Rs0.6 billion for the finance department.

One demand, presented in the house by Pakistan Peoples Party Sherpao’s Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, was put to vote for after he refused to withdraw it.

Earlier, in the debate, the finance minister said: “The ongoing budget is very balanced. The estimated budget was Rs249 billion but the revised budget touched Rs254 billion with a Rs5 billion increase.”

“When the government came into power, it was given Rs10 billion and after investing in treasury bills with profit, the amount is now Rs30 billion,” said Khan, responding to members’ queries about net hydel profits. “As per the federal government’s suggestion, the provincial government allocated Rs25 billion for development. Utilising this money in development schemes, targets have been achieved in one-and-a-half years instead of three years.”

Highlighting subjects under the provincial government’s domain, Khan said that even though the 18th amendment had given provinces the right to collect General Sales Tax (GST), except Sindh, all provinces had given back this authority to the federal government due to a weak taxation structure.

Speaking of provincial subjects, he also added that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) should be with the provinces and the provincial government will take the issue to the federal government.

In the assembly, Khan also answered many questions about ongoing development projects and their progress.

When a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker disclosed that the Balambat Irrigation Scheme was still incomplete, Khan said that investigation into the matter will be started immediately.

Earlier, ruling Awami National Party’s Bashir Bilour and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) lawmaker Mufti Kafayatullah had claimed in the house that the scheme was complete.

On this issue, PPP’s Zameen Khan said that the bureaucracy was not respecting the assembly by providing it with misleading information.

In reply, Speaker Kiramatullah Chigarmati said that the standing committee on agriculture will investigate the matter.

Similarly, Khan said that construction on both phases of the Hazara Expressway (E-35) was in progress. However, the second phase which would connect Havelian to Mansehra was delayed due to army’s refusal to build a highway near Kakul.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz member Sardar Aurangzeb Nalhuta in his speech asked the government to suspend the Association for Development of Pakistan (ADP) and divert all funds to power generation. Nalhuta also called for starting work on Hazara Expressway.

In his speech, PPP Excise and Taxation Minister Liaqat Shahab denied PML-N lawmaker Shazia Aurangzeb’s accusations that he had shifted a heavy transformer from Kheshgi area to Kohat. Shahab defended himself by saying that he had done so on orders of Governor Masood Kausar.

The session was adjourned till 10am on Monday.]]>
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			<title>Budget debate continues in the Sindh Assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394376/budget-debate-continues-in-the-sindh-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394376/budget-debate-continues-in-the-sindh-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 12 01:55:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394376</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[One of the issues raised in the assembly was about power outages in Hyderabad.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The debate on the provincial budget for 2012-2013 continued for a second day in the Sindh Assembly with several MPAs highlighting how the money that is allocated is actually spent.

Speaker Nisar Khuhro presided over the session on Friday that began half an hour before its usual time of 11 am, even though there were few MPAs in the house.

One of the issues raised in the assembly before the debate on the budget began was about power outages in Hyderabad. In response, Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani and Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah offered an explanation for the power outages: circular debt.

Durrani said that successive governments had only done “temporary” solutions and it was now up to the current government to find a permanent fix for the issue.

Shah, on the other hand, looked fairly irked. While he underscored the need to resolve the issue and explained how the government had reconciled its bills with utility companies and clarified how many connections it actually had, he also hit out at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa).

“Wasa is an autonomous body that has been mismanaged,” said Shah. “It has to be audited. Otherwise they’ll be back to ask me – I mean, us – for a bailout. This is the same case with KWSB; we’ve had to help them out as well.”

The usually unflappable finance minister appeared quite irked. “They need to act like semi autonomous bodies. The departments also have a role in reconciling their dues.” To underscore his point, he asked Speaker Khuhro, “What if the government gave you money to pay the Sindh Assembly’s electricity bill and you didn’t? How is this the government’s fault?”

“It is not the fault of the people either,” Shah said.

Budget debate

The debate on the budget continued in the Sindh Assembly, with speeches by MPAs from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

PPP MPA Sardar Jam Tamachi Unar, who also chairs the public accounts committee of the Sindh Assembly, offered suggestions to the government to help achieve its development-heavy budget. “Population is a huge issue. People have six or seven kids… we need to have more gap between children and family planning.” Unar also asked the government to hold a population census so it can ascertain the number of people in the province and their needs.

MQM MPA Heer Ismail Soho was appreciative of the government’s moves to help women, but also said that there was an insufficient number of schemes for women development. Soho also called for more funds for the Thatta, Badin, Ghotki, Jacobabad and Kashmore districts. “If they can’t be given equal funds, at least they should have district packages or mega projects,” Soho said.

Soho also highlighted the need for an inquiry into the disbursement of funding for transport in Thatta.

MQM MPA Fahim Ahmed asked for a focus on funding of flood-hit districts and for urban cities to be allocated money in districts.

MPAs also noted that of the money that is allocated in the budget, nothing is spent until April and then a spending spree starts. Contractors are asked to move rapidly and as a result “there is no quality of work” or assessment.

Missing in action

The Sindh Minister for Minorities Affairs Dr Mohan Lal was critiqued by minority MQM MPA Hargundas Ahuja. “I do not recall the minister going to any district to inquire about the issues of minorities,” Ahuja said. “This money for the repair of 400 mandirs, churches and graveyards that is mentioned in the budget… I don’t think even a 100 were repaired.”

“For four months, the department’s secretary isn’t there, then the director isn’t there for the next four,” Ahuja said about the minorities affairs department. “Then the minister is on leave for a month.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget session: Strains of discord emerge in the Sindh Assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393887/budget-session-strains-of-discord-emerge-in-the-sindh-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393887/budget-session-strains-of-discord-emerge-in-the-sindh-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 12 21:50:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393887</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM staged a walkout to protest the state of law and order.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The debate on the budget for 2012-2013 kicked off in the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, with a mix of sycophantic voices praising the ruling party while other MPAs asked why some districts had been more blessed than others.


The day’s proceedings began with a token protest by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over the lack of effective action by law enforcement agencies and the government to control crime in the city. The MQM’s protest comes after the brother of a former MQM MPA was killed in Shershah on Tuesday, following which traders went on strike on Wednesday, a move that was supported by the party.

The MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, Faisal Subzwari, said that if the murder was an “isolated incident we would be worried” but this was not so, because there was a similar attack in Shershah targeting traders.

On October 19, 2010, around 13 workers and owners of shops in the Shershah scrap market were killed when gunmen on motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire. Six shopkeepers were also injured in the attack.

Subzwari said traders had gone on strike three times this year to protest the lack of effective action and nothing had been done despite assurances by the government.

“We allocate millions for the police but we should see results as well,” Subzwari said. He said that police check posts had been established in Shershah but this week’s attack took place despite the police check-post being “ten steps away”.

The party members walked out then as a token sign of protest, however, they returned to the assembly shortly after.

Budget debate

The debate on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year also began on Thursday, partly attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. Several MPAs from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the MQM spoke on the budget. However, the PPP MPAs, including Anwar Ahmed Khan Mahar and Haji Munawwar Abbasi, were largely appreciative of the budget and praised the government for its focus on development, education and health.

The MQM MPAs, on the other hand, questioned the disparity of funds allocation between the 23 districts in Sindh, largely focusing on why Karachi hadn’t been earmarked as much funds as they had hoped for.

One of the complaints, by MPA Syed Khalid Ahmed, was that the K-4 project be given more money.

Ahmed also said that the works and services scheme were disparate for the 23 districts in Sindh. He also hit out at the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and said that the long spells of power cuts were merely a way for KESC to offset its losses. “They have left people with no other choice but to resort to other means of getting electricity,” he said.

Several MPAs also questioned where the funds allocated for development projects had gone in recent years. MQM’s Adil Khan said he had not seen any development in the areas of Gadap that are part of his constituency, while another party MPA Muzammil Qureshi said that there had been no work in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Qureshi also asked why the budgets for jails had been decreased.

The party’s focus on the budget for Karachi – which is its core base – set the stage for the budget discussion in the days ahead.

The MPAs looked prepared to raise more points about what they felt was the unfair treatment of Karachi compared to other districts in Sindh, given that it generates the most revenue, according to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>PM contempt: NA adopts resolution in favour of Speaker’s ruling</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393626/pm-contempt-na-adopts-resolution-in-favour-of-speaker%e2%80%99s-ruling</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393626/pm-contempt-na-adopts-resolution-in-favour-of-speaker%e2%80%99s-ruling#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 12 10:57:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393626</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speaker had decided against forwarding SC’s reference to ECP in prime minister contempt case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The National Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday in favour of Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza’s ruling in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's contempt case, reported Express News.

The speaker had decided against forwarding the Supreme Court’s reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Gilani.

The speaker had also refused to disqualify Gilani from his post.

National Assembly approves Finance Bill

The National Assembly on Thursday passed the Federal Budget for the next financial year which was presented in the house earlier by Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.

The House passed the Finance Bill 2012 giving legal cover to the budgetary proposals. Amendments moved by the finance minister were approved and incorporated in the bill.

Earlier, Federal Ministers Syed Naveed Qamar, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Minister of State Khawaja Sheraz Mahmood presented Excess Demands for Grants and Appropriation of various federal ministries, divisions and institutions for the years 1989-90, 1991-92 and 2005-06.

The House approved all the 151 demands of grants for different departments worth Rs2.078 trillion.

Earlier, the cut motions moved by different members were withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) members continued to protest by raising slogans against the government, prime minister and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The National Assembly also approved all the 134 Supplementary Demands for Grants and Appropriation for the year 2011-12.

Finance Minister Shaikh presented before the House the Schedule of Authorised Expenditure 2012-13, Supplementary Schedule of Authorised Expenditure 2011-12 and Excess Schedule of Authorised Expenditure 1989-90, 1991-92 and 2005-06.]]>
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			<title>Budget debate: Shaikh plays fiddle as opposition, allies censure govt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393440/budget-debate-shaikh-plays-fiddle-as-opposition-allies-censure-govt-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393440/budget-debate-shaikh-plays-fiddle-as-opposition-allies-censure-govt-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 12 04:17:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qamar.zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393440</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ANP, MQM suggest imposition of agriculture tax.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The finance minister played his fiddle while lawmakers from the opposition and treasury benches criticised the government and the budget during Wednesday’s debate in the National Assembly.


Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh wrapped up the debate on budget for fiscal 2012-13 amid vociferous protests by the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The ruling party’s allies, however, also played the role of the opposition. Lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) also criticised the government and its policies.

The criticism, however, could not deter the finance minister who heaped praise on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari for presenting the fifth budget under the incumbent government.

He added that the Senate had given about 145 suggestions and assured the house that several of those would be incorporated into the budget.

Critique, suggestions

Earlier, Yousaf Talpur from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party said that the agriculture sector had been neglected by the government. Recalling the prime minister’s commitment of writing off agri-loans for flood-hit areas, Talpur said the promise was never materialised.

Sajid Ahmed of the MQM said underlined the need for taxing the agriculture sector and called for legislation at the provincial level for the purpose.

While Bushra Gohar of the ANP felicitated the government, she censured it for bad governance, corruption and poor collection of taxes. Gohar suggested that defence budget should be slashed by 10 to 20%.

Maulvi Asmatullah from Balochistan asked how a budget with a 30% deficit be termed good.

Debt servicing

Charged expenditure of Rs8.57 trillion, included in demands for grants and appropriations, were laid before the house.

According to the document, Rs84.5 billion has been allocated for servicing domestic debt, Rs7.3 trillion for repayment of domestic debt, almost Rs80 billion for servicing foreign debt and Rs216 billion for repayment of foreign loans. Meanwhile, Rs 1.6 billion has been allocated for elections and Rs3.32 billion for Pakistan Railways.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.

s tog� cH�o �~ ing the matter pertained to his client and Arsalan alone. “Therefore, this matter could not be taken up in the suo motu jurisdiction,” he had said.

&nbsp;

Anwar said the court has not mentioned two important factors — question of fundamental rights and public interest. The court might reply to the objection when it delivers the order on Thursday (today), he said.

Kazim said that the objection raised by Riaz’s counsel lacked substance because an effort had been made to debase an institution, which had been waging a “war against corruption in the best public interest.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>PPP allies on board with Sindh government for the budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393344/ppp-allies-on-board-with-sindh-government-for-the-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393344/ppp-allies-on-board-with-sindh-government-for-the-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 12 00:13:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393344</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Minister Faisal Subzwari believes that the budget is a continuation of the federal budget.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As the general elections approach, the Sindh government has announced a development-heavy budget that provides considerable funds for health, education and transport networks and focuses on constituencies where ruling parties have a stronghold.

The Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) coalition partner at the federal and provincial level, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) says it is glad that development is a focus.

Faisal Subzwari, the MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, told The Express Tribune that there needs to be a continuation of policy. “Development is a focus, which is good, and there is money allocated for health and education. There are also new jobs. But what is important is that this be implemented,” he said. “Given the amount of money that has been allocated on development in the past four years – whether that money was spent or not is a different discussion altogether - the results should have been more visible. People want to see where the money went.”

Subzwari, who is a provincial minister for youth affairs, believes that the provincial budget is a continuation of what is laid out in the federal budget, and so it is the latter that impacts people’s lives directly.

The MQM had submitted its budgetary proposals to the government which included

Subzwari said the MQM had asked for progressive taxation, for all levels of society to be taxed, not just the poor.

Another major point according to the MQM was the support price of wheat. “I think it’s a good thing that the rural population is helped out by the minimum support price and there are subsidies on tractors and urea. But the urban population bears the burden of the low support price,” he said. “They should be given subsidies too.” As far as the special projects are concerned, District Central has been allocated Rs100 million in the 2012 to 2013 budget. But Subzwari said that this was “nothing” – “the cost to build the road and water lines from Sakhi Hassan to Surjani cost Rs72 million just a few years ago.”

Subzwari also said that the party had told the PPP to treat the city according to districts. “Take District South. You’re giving Lyari Rs800 million – we told them to give it Rs900 million if they wanted – but you have to allocate money for the entire district not just one area.”

The MQM said that as far as their budget proposals were concerned, several things were taken into account and were even given more money, in some cases. However, the party was scheduled to meet on Wednesday afternoon and discuss the budget in detail ahead of the Sindh Assembly’s sitting on Thursday.

Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional said it was a “balanced budget” and that his party’s proposals had been taken into account. Sheikh, the provincial minister for special education, told The Express Tribune, “The allocation in the education sector has been increased which is a good thing, and there are 20,000 direct employment opportunities. It’s a tax-free budget and nothing better could have come at this time.”

Awami National Party’s Sindh General Secretary Bashir Jan told The Express Tribune that the party was satisfied with the budget as Sindh had gotten a lot of money. He hoped that most of it would be spent on education. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Marvi Memon said that the budget mentioned only the future allocation and failed to mention the previous track record of the government. “On ground where are the projects and development work for which the government was allocated millions of rupees in the last budget,” she said. “Since it is the last year of the government, the PPP wants to garner support from people for election year by showing that the future budget has a lot of developmental projects but said that it was just a dream list.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Senate adopts close to 150 recommendations on budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392980/senate-adopts-close-to-150-recommendations-on-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392980/senate-adopts-close-to-150-recommendations-on-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 02:03:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392980</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Opposition balks at 100 per cent increase in wages, perks of Parliamentarians, discretionary budgets for legislators.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Upper House of the Parliament on Tuesday adopted close to 150 recommendations proposed for the budget of fiscal year 2012-13. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh promised the House that government would consider most , if not all of them.
The House adopted 141 out of a total of approved 145 recommendations unanimously, while the main opposition, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), opposed four recommendations including suggestions of 100 per cent increase in salaries and allowances of parliamentarians and the formation of a policy to ensure provision of large discretionary funds to all legislators.
“We will try our utmost to reflect these in the final recommendations of the National Assembly,” Hafeez said.

The Senate initiated its business after the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM)walked out after Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi on a point of order said that two brothers of former MQM MPA were killed in Karachi on Tuesday. He demanded that the Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik should give a statement on the issue and clarify the situation.

Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured Mashhadi that the Interior Advisor will come to the House and give a statement on the issue.
The Senate recommended that instead of declaring the Prime Minister’s House, which according to them is a symbol of dignity and honour of the nation, as an educational institute, the PM House and Secretariat should adopt austerity measures and curtail non-essential expenditure. The House also recommended that in order to enhance tax collection by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) on assets, the proposed rules ought to be framed in consultation with the provinces in order to avoid potential litigation quagmires. The House also suggested that the rate of tax collected by withholding agents against sales made to traders and distributors might be reduced from one per cent to half a per cent.
It also recommended that financial aid given through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) might be conditioned with compulsory education for children. Simultaneously it suggested the share of Balochistan in BISP to be enhanced.

Through a recommendation, the Senate suggested the National Assembly should ensure promotion of organised micro-finance sector, venture capital financing, cooperative farming, agricultural reforms, small medium enterprises, labour intensive and value additional industries.

The House also recommended improving equity in taxation system by increasing the direct and indirect tax ratio. On resolving the pressing issue of energy shortage, the House recommended a resolution by way of settling the mounting circular debt.

It also called for granting incentives for investment, industrialisation, growth and employment opportunities. The Senate also recommended that import duty on luxury cars above 1600-CC might be enhanced further. To supplement unemployment tackling measures, the Upper House of the Parliament also recommended that instead of the proposed policy of providing 0.1 million youngsters internships, the figure be doubled to 0.2 million so that they may develop their skills.

The senate called for upwardly revising the overall tax GDP ratio, which currently stands at less than 10 per cent, doubling it during the coming fiscal year. The House also suggested that the National Assembly should revisit its allocation of Rs182 billion for the energy sector, calling it insufficient. It recommended that this figure be revised to Rs500 billion to effectively counter the crisis. It also called for an allocation of special funds for the higher education commission within their existing budget for agriculture research and development programme.

Leader of Opposition Senator Ishaq Dar, while opposing the recommendation ensuring provision of development funds to legislators, said that the Rs27 billion resernved in the Finance Bill 2012-13 for the Peoples Works Programme should be diverted to energy sector. The expenses under the PSP are at the discretion of the Prime Minister. 

In response to Senator Dar's objection, Senator Haji Adeel of the Awami National Party complained that the Chief Minister Punjab enjoys discretionary funds amounting to Rs40 billion. He suggested that that fund should be abolished before objections are raised for the Prime Minister's discretionary programmes.

Energy crisis

Earlier, senators including Farah Aqil of ANP, Haji Ghulam Ali of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F), Rubina Irfan of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) while taking part in the budget debate, criticised the government for the energy shortage in the country. 

Haji Ghulam Ali said the new budget failed to propose any solid steps to eliminate of price hikes nor provided welfare to the masses. He regretted that no allocation was made in the budget for Munda Dam, which bears the capacity tot produce 750 megawatts of electricity. He demanded that the Chashma Left and Right Bank Canal should be completed on a priority basis. Hinting at increased trade with the North Westerly neighbour, Senator Ali said that allocations for the Northern Bypass giving access to Afghanistan should be enhanced. To promote industries in the insurgency struck Fata, he called for relief from taxes.

Rubina Irfan applauded some of the suggestions presented before the house. She said that the impression that budget brings with it a price hike should be removed. She pointed out that the law and order situation in Balochistan was pathetic and needs to be addressed on a priority basis. She was of the view that a country could not prosper unless corruption is eliminated at all levels. The Senator though backed the under fire BISP, terming it a good programme which empowered women.]]>
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			<title>Terror alert?: Central jail budget cut by 16%</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392837/terror-alert-central-jail-budget-cut-by-16</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392837/terror-alert-central-jail-budget-cut-by-16#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 01:32:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392837</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite growing threats, funds for both major prisons in city reduced.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After the outrageous Bannu jailbreak in April, everyone expected a huge jump in the budgetary allocations for the Central Prison Karachi – one of the most dangerous prisons in the country. But the expectations were dealt a blow, as the new budget cut down the jail’s expenses by 16 per cent as compared to this fiscal year.


The Karachi jail – the largest in the province – currently houses more than 3,000 prisoners, including 100 high-profile militants. In the 2011-12 fiscal year, the prison was allocated Rs211.23 million, but the Sindh government has decided to allocate Rs177.44 million for the jail in the upcoming financial year.

The overall budget for jails and remand homes in the province, however, has witnessed a 13 per cent increase from Rs2.03 billion in 2011-12 to Rs2.35 billion in 2012-13, with around Rs1.25 billion dedicated to development schemes.

While talking to The Express Tribune, the Karachi Prisons DIG Nusrat Mangan said that the budget was expected to increase by 10 to 15 per cent. “We certainly did not expect a decrease [in the budget] as we are running a number of rehabilitation programmes for inmates and house the highest number of prisoners in Sindh,” he complained.

Mangan said that he had not seen the budget documents so far but the staff salaries and funds allocated to house inmates and provide them with basic necessities like food, medicines and clothes should not be reduced. After the Taliban attack at the Bannu jail, the Sindh government had promised the jail management of providing mobile phone jammers and CCTV cameras. “The central prison is yet to receive the facilities despite the fact that it is at high risk,” he said.

Meanwhile, the budget for another jail facility in the city, the Malir jail, was also cut down for the upcoming fiscal year. The prison was given Rs63.26 million in 2011-12, but for next year, it has been allocated Rs62.21 million. A small decrease apparently, but a significant one considering the growing threat of militancy.

In the new budget, a fair increase in funds has been made for the women’s jail and the juvenile jail in the city, especially the former which saw its budget increase from Rs3.69 million to Rs9.42 million.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Catering to all: Govt allots Rs769.4m for shelter homes to be built by 2015</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392831/catering-to-all-govt-allots-rs769-4m-for-shelter-homes-to-be-built-by-2015</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392831/catering-to-all-govt-allots-rs769-4m-for-shelter-homes-to-be-built-by-2015#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 01:10:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392831</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Homes that would accommodate women, senior citizens, physically challenged people, street children by the year 2015.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh government plans to spend Rs769.42 million on different schemes for shelter homes that would accommodate women, senior citizens, physically challenged people and street children by the year 2015.


According to the Public Sector Development Programme’s outlay in the budget for fiscal year 2012- 2013, the Dar-ul Aman has been planned for the Shaheed Benazirabad district. The construction is expected to be complete by June 2013 with an estimated cost of Rs47.51 million.

The establishment of Dar-ul-Atfal and Rehabilitation of Street Children through the Civil Society Organisation in Karachi has also been planned at an estimated cost of Rs314.54 million. A sum of approximately Rs100 million was allocated for the strengthening and upgradation of the existing Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Handicapped Persons and Multiple Handicapped Children throughout Sindh. Another Rs98 million have been earmarked for the Dar-ul-Aman at Mirpurkhas and Jacobabad. For establishing “Aram Ghar” (Old home) for senior citizens, Rs80.37 million has been allocated, to be completed by 2015.

The government also plans to establish Child Protection Units (CPU) for street children in Larkana and Mirpurkhas at an estimated cost of Rs190 million and Rs50 million for the rehabilitation centre for beggars in Karachi.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>With Rs394m for environment, all ‘green’ for govt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392835/with-rs394m-for-environment-all-%e2%80%98green%e2%80%99-for-govt</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392835/with-rs394m-for-environment-all-%e2%80%98green%e2%80%99-for-govt#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 00:58:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392835</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Climate change study among five other development projects planned.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With rains and floods wreaking havoc in the province for two consecutive years now, the Sindh government has allocated Rs394.13 million in the new budget for half a dozen development projects in the environment sector.


The most important of the projects is an increasingly crucial study on the “Impacts of Climate Change in Sindh” that would cover all the factors leading to the massive destruction caused by rains and flooding in 2010 and 2011. Despite the urgent nature of this study, the project has a completion target in 2014 with Rs40 million set aside for it.

The highest amount of funds has been allocated for a project to strengthen the environmental monitoring system at the Environmental Protection Agency. With an estimated cost of Rs169.13 million, the project is expected to complete by June 2015.

Also among other schemes mentioned in the Annual Development Programme 2012-13 for environment is the “Environmental Awareness and Education for Protection and Conservation of Natural Resources”.

The project will be completed by June 2014 at an estimated cost of Rs100 million.

Another Rs15 million have been allocated for the “Study on E-Waste Management” and Rs10 million for the “Awareness and Preparation of Action Plan for Improving Hospital Waste Management in Public Sector Hospitals” with a completion date in June 2013.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Sindh government trumpets ‘achievements’ for minorities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392833/saved-not-spent-sindh-government-trumpets-%e2%80%98achievements%e2%80%99-for-minorities</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392833/saved-not-spent-sindh-government-trumpets-%e2%80%98achievements%e2%80%99-for-minorities#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 00:36:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rabia.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392833</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Finance dept’s secretary says no money in ADP spent on development projects.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah proudly declared during his budget speech on Monday that the government had “rectified to a large extent” the neglect of minority communities by previous governments.


Shah spoke about the development work and funds granted to hundreds of families, adding that money had been provided for the repair of 400 churches, temples and graveyards. He claimed that 20,000 families were granted financial assistance, two thousand students were given scholarships, 3,500 poor patients received financial and medical assistance and 1,000 deserving families were given dowry.

However Shah’s speech was surprising as Sindh government officials had recently declared that the minorities affairs department did not utilise a single paisa of the Rs110 million that was allocated in the Annual Development Programme for the year 2011-12.

The department’s secretary Badar Jameel told The Express Tribune that no money in the Annual Development Programme had been spent on any development project and the money had lapsed.

“We could not spend anything but we will this year,” he claimed. He said that since he was recently transferred to the department, he could not answer for why the money was not spent. Jameel vowed that he would make sure that the money the department gets for this year’s ADP would be rightly used.

On Monday, the government claimed a whopping 650% surge in the ADP of the minorities’ affairs department, increasing it from
Rs 110 million in the outgoing fiscal year to Rs720 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

Amongst the new projects for which money has been  allocated includes the rehabilitation of Sadhu Bella, a 150 year old temple in Sukkur that was damaged in the flooding of 2010. Money has also been allocated for all those places of worship that were damaged during the 2009 and 2010 floods. Money has also been allocated for a project named the implementation of various development schemes for minorities, but there is no explanation for what these projects are.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Govt fails to complete projects promised in last year’s budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392271/govt-fails-to-complete-projects-promised-in-last-year%e2%80%99s-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392271/govt-fails-to-complete-projects-promised-in-last-year%e2%80%99s-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 03:47:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zeeshan.mujahid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392271</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh govt had decided to undertake feasibility study identifying route to divert floodwater along river Indus.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Amid forecast of heavy rains this year, Sindh government lags behind in establishing centre for planning, monitoring and evaluation to be established in Irrigation and Power Department.


Similarly, the feasibility study identifying the route to divert the excessive flood water along river Indus was also delayed and is now expected to be completed in 2013 if ever undertaken.

According to the budget document, the Sindh government in February 2012 approved a scheme for establishing a centre for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation under administrative control of the Irrigation and Power Department. The project cost was estimated to be 50 billion rupees but till June 2012, the estimated expenditure was only 14 million rupees and it was expected that by end of June 2013, only 29 per cent financial progress is expected and project is now expected to be completed by June 2014.

Likewise, Sindh government had decided to undertake a Feasibility Study identifying the route to divert the excessive floodwater along river Indus. The project was approved in November 2011 and was expected to be completed by 2012-13 with an estimated cost of rupees 49.27 millions but again the study was yet to commence.

Sindh Finance Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his budget speech on Monday said that Rs2.3 billion have been allocated for restoration/rehabilitation of LBOD and Kotri Drainage Network System including activation of natural drains which are called Dhoras.

Improving water management practices is key to Sindh’s survival. As a lower riparian, water conservation and progressive water practices are pre-requisites. The focus on funding in irrigation sector is reflective of this realisation which led to a proposed allocation of Rs7.5 billion for the water and drainage sector in 2012-13 which is almost twice the ADP allocation of FY 2011-12 and nine times of the allocation in 2007-8, Murad Ali Shah claimed in his budget speech.

Sindh Flood Emergency Reconstruction Project for Bunds and Canals will be also undertaken at a cost of Rs400 million, he told the house.

With rainwater still standing in the fields and continuing rhetoric by ministers and top administrative officials about plans and preparations to face expected very heavy rainfall in coming monsoon, agriculturists and environmentalists fear that all these figures would  wash away as usual.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Karachi vice: Sindh gets 7,500 new police jobs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392270/karachi-vice-sindh-gets-7500-new-police-jobs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392270/karachi-vice-sindh-gets-7500-new-police-jobs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 02:58:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392270</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Securing Sindh will cost the government an estimated Rs46 billion in the next financial year.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Securing Sindh will cost the government an estimated Rs46 billion in the next financial year, an increase of 3.19% from 2011 to 2012. The police will also have 7,500 new positions to offer in 2012 to 2013, with salary expenses for these new jobs estimated at Rs500 million.


The Sindh government is also budgeting for Rs2.35 billion for jails in Sindh, about Rs314 million more than the last financial year. Non-salary expenses are at Rs1.25 billion.

The police budget is Rs38 billion. In 2011 to 2012, the Sindh government appears to have spent almost Rs6.6 billion over its budgeted allocation for the police.

The Sindh budget documents for the police do not highlight how much money will be allocated per police station, but allocates the money to the district heads of the police. The Pakistan Rangers will get Rs1.29 billion.

The budgets for the SP Security VVIP-I and VVIP-II have also seen an increase: Rs97.7 million and Rs88 million respectively from the amounts spent in 2011-2012 (Rs354 million and Rs355 million) respectively.

Rs865,560,000 has been allocated for training for the police. While the government initially budgeted Rs800 million for training, it actually spent Rs955 million in 2011-2012.

Funding for the law courts has been put at Rs3.48 billion. The government says it spent Rs367.74 million for the purchase of transport for the courts in 2011-2012.

Privileges for retired high court judges have been maintained at Rs22,000,000, the same amount spent by the government in the last financial year.

The law department’s budget is Rs1.1 billion for the next financial year.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>A good 8.4% increase in health spending, but with no district control</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392254/a-good-8-4-increase-in-health-spending-but-with-no-district-control</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392254/a-good-8-4-increase-in-health-spending-but-with-no-district-control#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 02:54:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[samia.malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392254</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Percentage allocated for ADPs stays at 5%.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[From last year, there has been an 8.4 per cent increase in the expenditure for the health sector. Around Rs45.7 billion have been set aside, as compared to last year’s Rs32.7 billion, for health care spending.

However the increase might not mean much since this year, the province has complete control on district-level spending. Previously, the districts used to have their separate budgets, in addition to the provincial budget assigned for the health sector.

Another interesting fact is that despite the overall increase in the health budget, percentage allocated for annual development schemes remain the same as last year’s - at five per cent.

Around Rs34.7 billion have been allocated for 97 ongoing expenditures, while Rs11 billion have been set aside for 59 new projects. Last fiscal year, Rs6 billion were allocated for new projects.

About Rs2 billion were set aside as grant-in aid for Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT). A separate children’ hospital will also be built at the SIUT premises in Karachi with an additional cost of Rs200 million.

The budget allocates Rs1 billion to the chief minister’s Initiative for the Prevention and Control of Hepatitis and Rs50 million have been set aside for extending the services of in Karachi and Sukkur.

Around 16 new projects have been announced for teaching hospitals and 35 for expansion and improvement of other government hospitals at the district level. Schemes were also announced for diseases, which are usually neglected at state level, include autism and blood disorders. The money will also be used to buy fibro-scanning equipment for district hospitals and 10,000 leukemia patients will also be given free medicine.

About Rs100 million were set aside to begin a province-wide ambulance service, and another Rs100 million have been allocated for multiple screening programmes for breast cancer and drafting laws to curb the spread of thalassemia.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>With a huge increase in allocation for education, things look good for literacy in Sindh</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392253/with-a-huge-increase-in-allocation-for-education-things-look-good-for-literacy-in-sindh</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392253/with-a-huge-increase-in-allocation-for-education-things-look-good-for-literacy-in-sindh#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 02:50:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[noman.ahmed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392253</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The government plans to hire 8,000 more teachers across the province.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In what can be considered a great step forward for the improvement of literacy in the province, Rs111 billion has been allocated to education in the Sindh budget for the fiscal year 2012-2013 – a massive 67 per cent increase from the amount last year.


The documents for the budget for 2012-2013 show Rs12.5 billion for development in the education sector, which is an increase of Rs1.5 billion from the amount allocated for the current fiscal year. It is pertinent to mention here that the estimated 2011-2012 development budget was initially Rs8.2 billion, but due to transfer of schools’ education budget from defunct district governments to the provincial government budget, it was increased to the revised estimate of around Rs11 billion.

“The allocation for education constitutes 20 per cent of the total outlay, which reflects the government’s strong commitment to the development of the education sector,” said provincial finance minister Murad Ali Shah in his speech.

Shah said there are several projects in the pipeline which will be a ‘breakthrough’ for literacy in the province. This includes the establishment of a university for women in Sukkur and the University of Sufism and Modern Sciences in Hala. In addition to this, four campuses of the Sindh University will be established in Badin, Thattta, Dadu and Mirpurkhas. Seven cadet colleges, including two for girls, will be established in Shaheed Benazirabad as well as Larkana and four engineering institutes and one law college are also in the pipeline.

Shah said that during financial year 2011-2012, Rs2.5 billion were provided to districts so that schools which were dilapidated or had been damaged during the floods could be rehabilitated. “About 1,024 schools were successfully rehabilitated during the fiscal year 2011-2012,” he said. Shah added that during next fiscal year, the government intends to double the funding under the school rehabilitation programme to Rs5 billion.

The total amount allocated under the Sindh education reform programme is Rs9.62 billion – a 33 per cent increase from last year. “This [sum] includes the cost of providing textbooks to all students, annual stipends for female students, developing frameworks for in-service and pre-service teachers’ training schemes and introducing student achievement tests,” said Shah.

In order to address the serious shortage of competent teachers in remote areas, the provincial government hired 8,414 people in 2011-12. “The government will hire another 8,000 teachers in the new fiscal year,” he said.

Correction: An earlier version of the picture caption incorrectly stated 'Rs111 billion' instead of 'Rs11 billion'. A correction has been made.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Politicking: New budget bids adieu to district govts?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392269/politicking-new-budget-bids-adieu-to-district-govts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392269/politicking-new-budget-bids-adieu-to-district-govts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 00:18:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saad.hasan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392269</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Local bodies’ funds reduced by half as government looks to take control provincially.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The new provincial budget suggests that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government has succeeded in taking away the responsibilities from the district administrations, in final manifestation of the revival of Sindh Local Government Ordinance 1979.


In the Sindh budget 2012-13 announced on Monday, the funds allotted to the local governments were cut down by 49 per cent to only Rs38 billion from Rs74.8 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the provincial government’s expenses jumped to Rs60.58 billion from Rs52.3 billion in 2011-12 due to the transfer of powers to the provincial level.

The disbandment of district governments was obvious. Whereas, the district governments received Rs37 billion from the provincial consolidated funds last year, nothing has been put side for the districts in the new budget. These numbers make it obvious that the provincial ministers are vying to get as much funds as possible in the election year – something that will surely not sit well with the ruling party’s ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Under the Annual Development Programme 2012-13, the Sindh government has made allocations for various projects in Karachi. As part of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) package, the city will get Rs2 billion for ten development schemes, including projects like flyovers at Jinnah Terminal, Ayesha Manzil and Teen Hatti. Work on the Jinnah Terminal flyover has already kicked off.

The PPP government has also made block allocations of Rs2.4 billion for its stronghold areas. Lyari was allocated Rs800 million; Keamari Rs700 million; Malir Rs500 million; rural areas Rs200 million; and the East and Central districts received Rs100 million each. This money does not fall under the purview of KMC and is mostly utilised by the MPAs.

During the outgoing fiscal year, the government spent Rs4.1 billion on infrastructure projects in the city. But in absence of any accountability, the Sindh government continues to boast about the same projects again and again.

Last year, the government put aside Rs1 billion each for the much-trumpeted K-IV water project and SIII sewerage plan, but work at these schemes is yet to take off.

Among some other noteworthy projects, the government targets to spend Rs200 million each on revamping the Gujjar nullah and widening of the Hawksbay Road. For five new sports complexes with an estimated cost of over Rs1 billion, being built in Baldia Town, Gulberg, Landhi, New Karachi and Orangi Town, only Rs50 million have been allocated.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget: With election on horizon, Sindh unveils populist budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392397/budget-with-election-on-horizon-sindh-unveils-populist-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392397/budget-with-election-on-horizon-sindh-unveils-populist-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 23:37:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kazim.alam]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392397</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Development and education outlays get a massive boost of 48.2% and 66.48%.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prepared with a strong tinge of election-year populism, Sindh Minister for Finance Murad Ali Shah presented provincial budget estimates for 2012-13 on Monday with the total outlay of Rs577.98 billion.


In a marked departure from the pragmatic fiscal approach adopted by the PPP-led central government in the federal budget presented on June 1, the proposed Sindh budget is — in the words of the provincial finance minister — in line with the PPP’s founding leader’s slogan of “roti, kapra and makaan.”

No wonder, then, that despite the expected increase of 18% in revenues, the budget deficit in 2012-13 is still going to be Rs7.16 billion, or 1.24% of the total budgetary outlay. The increase in the outlay for 2012-13 from the current fiscal year is 26.32%, as it stood at Rs457.54 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.

Addressing the provincial assembly, Shah attributed the likely deficit to the “massive jump” in the development spending, which is expected to increase from Rs155.86 billion in 2011-12 to Rs231 billion in 2012-13, a hike of 48.2%.

Receipts of the province are estimated to be Rs570.81 billion for 2012-13, up by 24.5% from the outgoing fiscal year’s Rs458.42. Federal receipts are projected to be Rs381.9 billion in 2012-13 as opposed to Rs323.18 billion in the current fiscal year, an increase of 18.1%.

About 20.3% of the proposed budget is reserved for education with the estimated allocation of Rs110.88 billion, up by massive 66.48% compared to the current fiscal year. The second largest chunk of the budget will go to the general public service with an estimated amount of Rs72.45 billion, up by 13.3% from the current year.

Interestingly, the finance minister during his speech did not compare figures from the outgoing fiscal year with the proposed allocations for 2012-13. Rather, to put statistics in context, he chose to compare figures from the outgoing fiscal year with those from 2007-08, the last budget presented by the preceding provincial government led by the PML-Q.

Shah said the education budget in 2012-13 was 164% higher than the amount reserved for education in 2007-08. Similarly, he claimed that the proposed development allocation for 2012-13 was 600% higher than the allocation made in 2007-08.

“The Sindh government spent Rs50 billion on relief and rehabilitation (in the aftermath of the floods) in the past two years. This amount would also be spent on development had natural calamities not hit the province,” Shah said.

He added that the present government spent Rs644.84 billion in development budget under its tenure, which was more than double the cumulative development spending of Rs310 billion from 1947 to 2007.

Out of the development expenditure of Rs231.7 billion, Rs181 billion will be generated from Sindh’s own resources while Rs35 billion will come from the Asian Development Bank-assisted Flood Emergency Reconstruction Project and other projects.

The province will also receive Rs14.51 billion in the form of federal grants.

Although Shah read from his speech document in English during most of the session, he would switch to Urdu the moment he wanted to make a point more emphatically.

For example, while he went through the parts of his speech praising the president and Sindh chief minister quickly in English, he opted to speak in Urdu while highlighting that Sindh became the first province to establish its own legal framework for the collection of General Sales Tax (GST) on services.

The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) – the provincial body mandated to collect GST on services – is expected to achieve its target of Rs25 billion in the current fiscal year. Before the creation of the SRB, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs18.3 billion in GST on services from Sindh in 2010-11.

With a share of 4.4% in the total budget outlay, the allocation for infrastructure is going to be down by 50.8% compared to the outgoing fiscal year with a proposed budget of Rs24 billion in 2012-13.

The allocation for agriculture, however, will see a marginal rise of 0.5% with a proposed funding of Rs55.96 billion in 2012-13.

Its share in the total budget outlay is going to be 10.2% in the upcoming fiscal.


Published In The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Development budget heavy on political spending</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392266/development-budget-heavy-on-political-spending</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392266/development-budget-heavy-on-political-spending#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 23:31:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[farooq.tirmizi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392266</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Politicians get more discretionary allocations at the expense  of infrastructure and public safety.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh government’s development budget for fiscal year 2013 does not even try to hide its political undertones: nearly half of the development spending directly controlled by the provincial government will go to projects requested by politicians ahead of what is expected to be a spirited election season.


The total development outlay for Sindh in fiscal 2013 is Rs231 billion, up by an astonishing 48.3% from the 2012 development spending. But not all of that money is in the control of the Sindh government. About Rs35.7 billion is being spent on projects funded by foreign donors, a category of spending that often reflects the spending priorities of foreign capitals rather than the provincial government itself. The federal government has another Rs14.5 billion in projects that reflect Islamabad’s policy goals.

Of the remaining Rs181 billion, about Rs87.4 billion – or 48% of what Sindh actually controls – is going towards projects with a political bent in mind. In the main budget document, they were listed with vague-sounding headings like “Special Project” with has about Rs24 billion allocated to it, or “Block Allocation to Priority Programme” which gets another Rs12 billion.

The details of these were to be found in the 4,145-page document that details the development budget. The priority programme, it turns out, is Rs60 million that every one of the 168 members of the Sindh Assembly gets to spend more or less as they wish. This amount is typically used by many members to fund projects in their home constituencies.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has been allocated Rs1 billion to spend on projects as he wishes. Another Rs3 billion goes to Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah’s personal prerogative. These allocations essentially function as taxpayer-funded political war-chests for incumbent politicians who can appear magnanimous to their constituents at government expense, a particularly useful asset in an election year. Such allocations are common throughout Pakistan and even in other democracies around the world. Yet the Sindh government appears to have gone further than any other provincial government in the country this year.

These politically directed expenditures – which have risen by a whopping 144% in the 2013 budget compared to the previous year – come at the expense of spending elsewhere. Spending on infrastructure, for instance, has been slashed by nearly 51%. Housing has been its budget cut by 5.3% in 2013. Agriculture gets almost the exact same amount as last year, despite 11% inflation, and the police and judicial system get a paltry 2.3% more. In inflation adjusted terms, that amounts to a cut in the public safety budget.

The development budget allocations given to the politicians are also meant to be spent on infrastructure, education, health and the like. But given the fact that these amounts are much smaller – and directed by politicians seeking re-election rather than technocrats acting in accordance to a long-term development strategy – the spending is likely to be on projects that yield few long-term benefits to Sindh’s economy.

For instance, the Sindh government is spending less than Rs13.5 billion ($145 million) on developing the Thar coalfields, arguably the province’s single biggest energy resource which needs at least $12 billion in investment to begin providing electricity to the national grid. The government will spend only Rs500 million on the Khairpur Special Economic Zone, which aims to take advantage of the district’s competitive advantages in agriculture and allow small businesses to get into more value-added products – increasing productivity and incomes for the people of the district.

And local governments have been allocated precisely zero rupees to spend on development on their own discretion, suggesting that the provincial government does not intend to devolve powers down to the district and sub-district levels.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Untamed ambitions: Sales tax target revised upwards</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392162/untamed-ambitions-sales-tax-target-revised-upwards</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392162/untamed-ambitions-sales-tax-target-revised-upwards#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 21:54:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[farhan.zaheer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392162</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh finance minister says revenue board to achieve all set targets.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In his budget speech on Monday, Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated his trust in the Sindh Revenue Board’s (SRB) abilities, and insisted that the SRB will successfully achieve the collection target for General Sales Tax (GST) on Services set at Rs25 billion for fiscal 2011-12. He simultaneously announced that the provincial government had decided to revise its 2012-13 GST target to Rs32 billion.

“The SRB will successfully achieve its revenue target of Rs25 billion in fiscal year 2011-12,” he said. “Our confidence in the SRB can be gauged from the fact that for the upcoming fiscal year, we have revised the sales tax on services target upward to Rs32 billion.”

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had collected Rs18.3 billion in sales tax in fiscal 2010-11; if the Sindh government successfully achieves its revenue target for the current fiscal year, tax collection will clock in 26.8% higher than over the previous fiscal year.

In fiscal 2012-13 the Sindh government also expects to collect Rs41.18 billion under provincial tax receipts (excluding the General Sales Tax on Services), up Rs2.18 billion from last year’s Rs39 billion. Similarly, provincial non-tax receipts are expected to be around Rs23.44 billion in fiscal year 2012-13, up Rs5 billion from last year’s Rs18.45 billion. Total revenue from provincial tax receipts, sales tax on services and provincial non-tax receipts is expected to reach Rs96.63 billion in 2012-13, up 17.13% from Rs82.5 billion in fiscal 2011-12.

An official of the SRB said the board has undertaken various surveys of different sectors that sell their services, but are not in the tax net. “Since the provincial government can more easily monitor local businesses as compared to the federal government, untaxed enterprises cannot evade the tax machinery anymore,” he said firmly. He also said that the SRB is “working in the right direction, and will bring hundreds of new companies into the tax net which had previously slipped under the federal government’s radar.”

Securing the provincial right to collection of General Sales Tax on Services amounts to a monumental achievement for Shah: in his speech, he termed the development a ‘success’ for the SRB, and one of the biggest achievements of the provincial government in the last four and half years of its tenure.

“Pakistan’s 1973 constitution allowed provinces to collect sales tax on services, but they were never allowed to exercise this right,” Shah contended. “Fortunately, provinces are now in a position to exercise this right after nearly four decades.”

Shah also claimed that other provinces of the country are now following in the footprints of the SRB in setting up their own revenue collection boards. “Other provinces are following us because they see the SRB operating successfully in Sindh,” he stressed. “This is important because some people have been discouraging provinces and say that provinces cannot collect taxes due to either the absence of a provincial tax collection mechanism, or problems in those that are operating.”

For some independent economists, however, the SRB’s successes don’t seem as spectacular as they do to Murad Ali Shah.

JS Global Capital Limited Economist Muzammil Aslam said that the collection of Rs25 billion is not exactly a big achievement for the provincial government.  He maintained that it was collected from the same sources that the federal government was taxing earlier; and that the provincial government had not brought any new sectors into the existing pool.

Agricultural tax

The Sindh government has failed to achieve the tax on income (agriculture) target set at Rs500 million for the outgoing fiscal year and the target has now been slashed 60% to just Rs200 million.

After the 18th Amendment, agricultural income tax collection is now a provincial matter, but a lack of political will in taxing powerful stakeholders in different sectors is the main hurdle in revenue generation for provinces.

Interestingly, despite its imminent failure in collecting that amount within the current fiscal year, the government has once again aimed to collect Rs500 million in next fiscal year 2012-13.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget: Govt announces minor allocation for Thar coalfields</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392161/budget-govt-announces-minor-allocation-for-thar-coalfields</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392161/budget-govt-announces-minor-allocation-for-thar-coalfields#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 21:32:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[farooq.tirmizi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392161</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Some minor infrastructure upgrades announced, no major push on developing energy in the province.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite having touted the Thar coalfields as the solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis, the Sindh government will allocate less than $145 million for developing the coalfields during fiscal year 2013.


Conservative estimates suggest that the combined investment required to get at least one project in Thar off the ground is around $3 billion. Yet the Sindh government has been extremely slow in getting off the mark in terms of developing the infrastructure needed in the area in order for private companies to begin construction work on the coalmines and power plants.

In his budget speech at the provincial assembly in Karachi on Monday, Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the provincial government is “in various stages of feasibilities and financial close” on up to 4,000 megawatts of power generation capacity in Thar. However, it has yet to actually achieve financial close on any of them, and is significantly behind schedule on its commitment to the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company – a 1,200-megawatt power generation joint venture with Engro Corporation in which the provincial government has a 40% stake.

Engro officials usually decline to speak on the record about their partnership with the Sindh government except in the most generic terms. Privately, however, several senior Engro executives have expressed their frustration at the slow pace at which the Sindh government has been developing the road networks and other infrastructure close to the coalmine.

The budget allocations for 2013 appear to be an attempt to address at least some of those concerns. For instance, among the specific allocations is money for widening the road from the Karachi port and Wango More to Thar, an airstrip at Islamkot, and a Rs5 billion project to deliver water to the area.

Yet the Sindh government has an exceptionally poor track record when it comes to actually carrying out development projects, even when the money for them has been released to the executing departments. According to sources in the Sindh planning department, as much as half of the 2012 provincial development budget remains unspent, despite the money being already disbursed.

Sindh is the undisputed leader in domestic energy resources in Pakistan. It accounts for over half of all oil production and over 71% of all gas production in the country. Sindh also has Thar, by most accounts one of the largest coal reserves in the world. Yet the provincial government has essentially done nothing since the coalfields were first discovered in the early 1990s.

The Engro project is one of the few to actually complete a feasibility study for power generation from Thar’s coalfields. The project would create a 1,200-megawatt power plant and a small coal mine that would yield about 6.5 tons per year. The project can be expanded to produce 4,000 megawatts of electricity in later phases.

UK-based Oracle Coalfields has also completed its feasibility study on the Thar coalfields and is now looking to raise an estimated $610 million for its project.

Engro is currently targeting a financial close by December 2012 – meaning it would have to raise all of the capital it would need for the project by then. Several Chinese state-owned financial institutions and the Chinese energy ministry itself have reportedly expressed interest in financing the project, according to Khalid Mansoor, an Engro executive responsible for the project.

The construction of the mine will start in 2013 and power generation is expected to commence by 2016. All of these dates, however, are subject to the Sindh government living up to its contractual obligations.

Given the relatively miniscule budget allocations by the provincial government, however, it is unclear whether Engro will be able to start generating electricity on schedule.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget 2012-13: A bleak picture for Lollywood</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392055/budget-2012-13-a-bleak-picture-for-lollywood</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392055/budget-2012-13-a-bleak-picture-for-lollywood#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 15:12:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sher.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392055</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Veterans disappointed over budget allocation for film industry.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Following the announcement of the Federal and Punjab budgets, thick clouds of confusion have set in amongst leading members of the film industry. A lack of priority and importance are seen as the main hurdles in revamping and improving the industry in the long-term.


“The budget does not resonate with the wishes and demands of the general population,” says legendary actor Mustafa Qureshi. “Not enough importance has been given to the film industry, which has been an integral part of Lahore’s culture for over 100 years.”

Qureshi, like many other industry insiders, has routinely interacted with the government in the hope of jump-starting the staggering industry. He says that one of the biggest issues is that there is no clarification as to whether the film industry budget is the federal government or Punjab government’s responsibility.

While discussing the state of the industry, Qureshi is of the opinion that in order to survive, the industry currently needs 10 good films a year. For that, the government’s support is essential. “The message should not be that if the industry is struggling, it should die. One shouldn’t forget that this industry has helped the government by generating impressive revenues in the past. Hence, its success is beneficial for both parties.”

In the background

Meanwhile, PML-N insiders explained that around Rs5 billion had been divided amongst three departments Tourism, Human Rights, Ministry of Information, with no exact budget allocated the film industry.

PML-N’s Farah Deeba, who is also the president of the Punjab Cultural Wing of the party, said that the government had not yet held a meeting to discuss what steps should be taken to move ahead . According to Deeba, the government’s reluctance to extend all out support to film-makers arises from the issue that most directors foray into vulgarity and obscenity. That said, Deeba affirms that the goal will always be to provide good and positive entertainment for the public. She also added that the censor board will be honest and cater to progressive film-making.

Not falling in the trap

Senior film-makers and veterans,however, are not buying it. Actor Ghulam Mohiuddin, who rarely goes to his once regular hang-out spot in Evernew Studio in the fear that he will run into many old technicians and cameramen who are now unemployed, says the decision to allocate funds to government-owned institutions like Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), had only catered to a small elite crowd. He is of the opinion that entertainment which caters to the general public is not addressed in the budget.

Apart from that, Mohiuddin points out the bureaucratic nature of the Censor Board, calling for an immediate change in film censoring practices. “It is unfortunate that the producer or director spends so much money on making a film but he’s not allowed to sit with the censor board and explain the significance of certain scenes in a film.”

What can be done?

Meanwhile, film director and producer Javed Raza is one of many people from the industry who have concrete proposals which would help make producing the films affordable. The crux of the issue, he says, is that there are no cinemas to adequately sustain the cost of making a film. “The thing I have been pitching for is: in every major city, the government, in a revenue sharing partnership with the industry, should open one cinema with five screens. I guarantee that both sides will be happy in terms of finances,” says Raza who believes that if this plan is implemented the government could recover the cost putting up the cinemas within two years.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget: Balochistan allocates Rs172 billion for 2012-13</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392026/budget-balochistan-allocates-rs172-billion-for-2012-13</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392026/budget-balochistan-allocates-rs172-billion-for-2012-13#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 11:14:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392026</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Provincial government did not take any foreign loans in past four years, says Balochistan finance minister.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Balochistan has allocated Rs172 billion budget for the fiscal year 2012-13 as compared to Rs71.19 billion in 2009.

Finance Minister Asim Kurd, who announced the budget on Monday, said that the province did not take any foreign loans in the past four years.

He added that when the provincial government came into power, the government had an overdraft of Rs19 billion, but there is no overdraft anymore.

The income of the province was Rs3 billion in 2009, which has now increased to over Rs5 billion, Kurd added.

A 20% increase in the salaries and pensions of government employees has been announced, and Rs1 billion have been allocated to provide free medicines in state hospitals. Rs13 billion has been allocated for maintaining peace in the province, while the police has been allocated a budget of Rs5 billion.

The non-developmental fund for education has been kept at Rs22.5 billion, while a separate fund to provide 1,500 internships to students has also been allocated. Agriculture has been given Rs5 billion.]]>
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			<title>Rs577 billion allocated for Sindh budget 2012-2013</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392021/rs577-billion-allocated-for-sindh-budget-2012-2013</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392021/rs577-billion-allocated-for-sindh-budget-2012-2013#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 12 10:46:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392021</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[An amount of Rs12 billion has been allocated for the health sector, while Rs9 billion will be spent on education.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Government of Sindh unveiled a Rs577 billion budget for the fiscal year 2012-13,  Express News reported on Monday.

Provincial Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the budget.

During his speech, Shah mentioned that around 40% of the total budget have been allocated to developmental projects.

“We have reduced our non-developmental expenditure during the last few years,” he said.

He further added that the estimated revenue for year 2012-2013 is also 25% higher than the last year.

Entailing a capital of Rs570 billion and a deficit of Rs7 billion, the budget has allocated Rs20 billion for local governments which neither been restored nor dissolved under the Sindh Assembly Act.

According to a copy of budget obtained by Express News, an amount of Rs12 billion has been allocated for the health sector, while Rs9 billion will be spent on education.

Rs35 billion has been reserved for foreign projects, while Rs14 billion has been allocated for the projects funded by the federal government.

The budget has shown a growth of 40%, breaking the record of all the previous budgets.]]>
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			<title>Post-budget press conference: ‘Budget for welfare of poor, youth and women’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391755/post-budget-press-conference-%e2%80%98budget-for-welfare-of-poor-youth-and-women%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391755/post-budget-press-conference-%e2%80%98budget-for-welfare-of-poor-youth-and-women%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 19:15:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391755</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cabinet members agreed to 30 % cut in monthly pay.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab budget for 2012-13 is a pro-poor budget with record subsidies and increased funds for the development of backward areas, said Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Senior Advisor to the Chief Minister Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa at the post-budget press conference on Sunday.


They said that the budget included special packages for agriculture and social welfare. They said that Rs34 billion had been allocated for removing the economic problems of lower income classes, which amounted to a record subsidy for the poor. They said they were confident the budget would usher in real and sustainable development.

Khosa and Rehman said that the budget reflected the people-friendly policies of the PML-Nawaz. They said that the budget was drawn up by public representatives, not bureaucrats. The government began consulting assembly members on the budget in February and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif monitored the entire process. Many experts were also consulted.

They said that there were special measures for the poor, the young, women and farmers in the budget. A sum of Rs3 billion had been allocated for the provision of interest-free loans of Rs50,000 to 150,000 educated and skilled young people. The Rs2 billion green tractor scheme would provide subsidies on tractors to 20,000 people. Some 50,000 graduates would get four-month internships at a stipend of Rs10,000 per month under a Rs1.5 billion programme. The government would continue handing out computers to the brightest students, with Rs4 billion allocated for the purchase of 125,000 laptops for the next fiscal year. An Innovation Development Fund would be set up with seed money of Rs500 million. Some 80,000 government jobs would be given to young people on the basis of merit. They said that the government had allocated a total of Rs15 billion to programmes for the youth. Projects for the welfare of women had been allocated Rs14 billion. The Punjab government had also set a 15 per cent quota for women in government jobs, they said.

Khosa and Rehman said that Rs10 billion had been allocated for energy projects. Coal-fired plants would be set up at six sites to provide electricity for industrial estates. An energy fund would be set up and the private sector would be given incentives to set up power plants. The Punjab Power Development Board had started preliminary work on 54 projects that would generate 688 MW, and an agreement has been reached with Chinese companies for a 120 MW hydropower plant at Taunsa Barrage.

About government expenses, they said that the provincial administration would continue with its “campaign of austerity and simplicity”. No new vehicles would be purchased, unless they were sanctioned by an austerity committee. Cabinet members had agreed to a 30 per cent cut in their monthly pay.

Khosa and Rehman said that a record Rs80 billion, or 32 per cent of the Rs250 billion Annual Development Programme, had been allocated for southern Punjab. They said that projects to build Daanish Schools, hospitals, medical colleges, bridges, roads and other facilities in the region had been given priority. All the money allocated to the region in the previous year’s budget was actually spent in the region, and the same would be true for the 2012-13 budget, they said.

They said that four new Ashiyana housing schemes costing Rs2 billion would be built in cities other than Lahore. The government would get 1,200 new buses for urban transport in the province.

Planning and Development Chairman Javed Aslam and Finance Secretary Tariq Bajwa also attended the press conference and answered questions.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget: Punjab budget focuses on economic competitiveness</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391540/budget-punjab-budget-focuses-on-economic-competitiveness</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391540/budget-punjab-budget-focuses-on-economic-competitiveness#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 03:47:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[farooq.tirmizi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391540</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Huge increases in infrastructure, agriculture spending.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Rs783 billion Punjab budget for fiscal year 2013 had Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s vision for the province written all over it: the largest province in the country will dramatically be expanding its spending on agriculture and improving its infrastructure to maintain its economic competitiveness.


The budget speech itself was delivered on Saturday by Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, who has been given the additional portfolio of finance. The province has not had a full-time finance minister since Tanveer Ashraf Kaira was kicked out of the job in February 2011. And unlike the ruckus in the National Assembly during the  presentation of the federal budget, the opposition in the Punjab Assembly – on instructions from their leadership – was respectfully quiet during Rehman’s speech.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, however, the speech itself included few references to Punjab’s economic competitiveness and focused primarily on highlighting the populist initiatives that the government has undertaken to boost its popularity through the final budget before the next election.

Yet the numbers unmistakably pointed in one direction: the leadership in Punjab, led by the chief minister himself, has decided that the provincial government is vigorously seeking to enhance Punjab’s economic competitiveness by ensuring a high quality of infrastructure, with a special focus on agriculture, seen as the province’s key advantage.

The largest increase in spending comes in agriculture, where the Punjab government will expand its budget by a whopping 67% to Rs78 billion, or about one-tenth of the total budget. The next highest increase came in infrastructure, where Punjab will invest Rs77 billion, a 34% increase over the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. The overall development budget, at Rs250 billion, is about 51% higher than last year’s development budget.

Lahore will be spending about Rs28 billion on building new canals and improving its existing network, including a Rs12 billion World Bank-financed project to restore the Jinnah Barrage, one of the largest in the country.

And in order to enhance its own capacity to generate power, the provincial government will be spending about Rs10 billion in developing hydroelectric power generation capacity. The amount on energy is relatively small, but it signals the Punjab government’s increasing belief that they cannot rely on the federal government for an equitable treatment with respect to the nationwide power outages, which appear to disproportionately affect the province.

About Rs32 billion will be spent on building highways and bridges across the province. The district governments will spend a further Rs33 billion on road projects, taking up the total amount of spending on infrastructure in the province to Rs110 billion, which is about 14% of the total budget.

The provincial government’s own expenditure on education comes to about Rs64 billion, but the bulk of education spending actually takes place at the district level. The provincial and local governments will spend a combined Rs195 billion on education, which comes to about 25% of the total budget.

About Rs84 billion will be spent on healthcare in Punjab in fiscal 2013, of which Rs64 billion is the provincial government’s share, with the remainder being spent by local governments.

The local government system in Punjab has been allocated Rs247 billion, well over 90% of which will be spent on education, health and infrastructure, with the remainder largely covering bureaucrats salaries and utility bills for government offices.

A little electioneering

In the run-up to the next election, the budget does contain several populist measures. For instance, Lahore will spend Rs2 billion on the ‘Aashiyana’ programme, which seeks to provide low-cost housing to poorer citizens. A further Rs27.5 billion will be spent on subsidising flour.

Sensing political vulnerability in the southern part of the province, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz was keen to highlight the fact that it will be spending about one-third of the development budget – Rs80 billion – on South Punjab. The provincial government’s much-vaunted Daanish Schools initiative will be set up eight schools, all of which will be in the South Punjab. The highway construction budget includes money for 10 major projects connecting cities in the region and the government will also set up a separate South Punjab Development Programme worth Rs10.5 billion.

Investing in the youth

In what appears to be a response to the rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s popularity among the youth, the PML-N-led Punjab government was keen to highlight its spending on projects to benefit younger citizens.

Punjab will spend Rs4 billion to provide 125,000 laptops to students across the province. In addition, the provincial government has set up a Rs3 billion venture capital fund to provide Rs50,000 in seed-capital loans to young entrepreneurs looking to start small businesses. The Punjab government also spend Rs2 billion subsidising 20,000 tractors for young farmers in the province.

Around 80,000 young people will be provided provincial government jobs, claimed the minister, and an additional 16,000 will be recruited as science teachers for public schools in the province. In addition, 50,000 college graduates will be provided four-month internships in the provincial government, with a monthly stipend of Rs10,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punjab Assembly budget session: PM lauds legislators over conduct in house</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391542/punjab-assembly-budget-session-pm-lauds-legislators-over-conduct-in-house</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391542/punjab-assembly-budget-session-pm-lauds-legislators-over-conduct-in-house#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 03:34:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391542</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Advises PML-N leaders to focus on winning public support.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has congratulated the provincial legislators of Pakistan Peoples Party and its coalition partners in Punjab for upholding the best parliamentary practices during the budget speech in Punjab Assembly on Saturday.

Talking to Associated Press of Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that the conduct of PPP’s provincial legislators was in marked contrast to what PML-N did in the National Assembly during the budget speech of the Federal Finance Minister on June 1.

The prime minister advised the provincial legislators in the Punjab Assembly to take part in the budget debate in a constructive manner, as their voters in their respective constituencies expected them to ensure their effective representation at the legislative forums. He said that speeches of the PPP legislators in the Punjab Assembly should promote vision of PPP’s manifesto, which is a major policy statement of the party for social development of less privileged sections of people.

The prime minister said that hooliganism and un-parliamentary behaviour demonstrated by the main opposition party cut the roots of democracy for which the people of Pakistan had rendered innumerable sacrifices, adding that they would reject those who resort to undermine the symbol of their empowerment.

The prime minister advised the PML-N leadership not to let its political frustrations and fear overtake them and instead focus on winning people’s support by presenting programmes because democracy is all about rallying people on political manifesto and not about scuffle and intimidation.

The prime minister said that obsession of PML-N leadership with grabbing power at any cost was self-defeating and indeed mockery of Charter of Democracy in which it committed itself to adhere to principles of democracy and not to stand by undemocratic forces.

Replying to a question about upcoming talks between Defence Secretaries of India and Pakistan on Siachen issue, the prime minister said that Pakistan was desirous of resolution of all outstanding issues between both countries through dialogue and peaceful means. He said that Pakistan expected positive outcome of talks on Siachen issue. The Prime Minister welcomed  decision of the Supreme Court regarding submission of accounts of expenses by the contesting candidates, use of transport, and the checking of voters’ list by the Army and the FC.

He said that the Supreme Court’s judgment was in line with the policy of the government as was amply reflected in the form of empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan through the 20th Constitutional Amendment to hold free, fair and transparent elections in a manner that its credibility is not questioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pollution control: Environment again given low priority</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391469/pollution-control-environment-again-given-low-priority</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391469/pollution-control-environment-again-given-low-priority#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 03:12:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sonia.malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391469</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Budget is less than a third of what is was before devolution five years ago.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The government has allocated Rs350 million for the Environmental Protection Department in the Annual Development Programme for 2012-13, representing the continuing relegation of pollution control as a low priority in the province.

The development budget for the EPD is the same size as in the previous financial year and is thus lower than last year in real terms, taking inflation into account. However, Rs256 million of the Rs350 million 2011-12 budget, or 73 per cent, was surrendered to the Finance Department unspent.

In 2007-08, before environmental protection was devolved to the provinces, the budget for the department was Rs1.15 billion. It was reduced to Rs1 billion in 2008-09, to Rs500 million in 2009-10, and Rs335 million in 2010-11.

EPD Secretary Saeed Iqbal Wahla said that the reduced budget was a result of scarce resources as well as his department’s incompetence. “The mechanism has been such that projects get delayed. Most of our staff has also been reluctant to spend funds for ongoing projects or take responsibility for new projects. They are lazy,” he said.

The secretary said that he would improve the utilisation of funds. “If I remain in the office, I will make sure that every allocated rupee is spent on the project. I will ensure full utilisation of funds,” he said.

No new schemes are specified for the EPD in the 2012-13 budget, but it includes an unapproved block allocation of Rs173 million that Wahla said would be spent on four new projects: to establish cells for testing drinking water quality at Lahore and Multan, and to establish a directorate for hospital waste management and one for preventing environmental hazards from industrial accidents. Wahla said the EPD would design the PC1 for the projects and then seek funding from the Finance Department.

Another Rs130 million has been allocated for ‘fast-moving’ schemes that the EPD would plan over the course of the year. The rest of the budget is for ongoing schemes, including Rs5 million to establish an air quality monitoring system; Rs 5 million for community-based environment improvement programmes; Rs3.2 million to build capacity for the conducting of initial environmental examination, environmental impact assessment, environmental assessment and life-cycle assessment reports; Rs3.9 million to set up a legal cell at the EPD; Rs14 million to build the capacity of stakeholders to mitigate climate change and carbon credits; Rs10 million for the development of biodiversity parks in collaboration with district governments and business communities; and Rs5 million for collaborations with educational institutions for environmental research.

Two projects – for the establishment of an EPD resource centre in Johar Town and capacity building and recruitment of field officers– have been shelved and not allocated any money in the budget. Wahla said that EPD officials felt that these were low priority needs.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Courts: Rs1.5b allocated for Access to Justice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391494/courts-rs1-5b-allocated-for-access-to-justice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391494/courts-rs1-5b-allocated-for-access-to-justice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 03:06:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391494</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Development budget of Rs1.15b for new courts and facilities.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government has allocated Rs1.49 billion for the Access to Justice Programme for fiscal year 2012-13, after allocating nothing for the project the year before.

However, the budget documents provided by the Punjab government do not explain how the allocation will be broken up. The Access to Justice Programme was originally launched in Punjab under the PML-Quaid government with $350 million provided by the Asian Development Bank.

The Rs1.15 billion development budget for the courts will be spent on 37 ongoing schemes and 97 new schemes.

Most of the development schemes for the judiciary have been shown under the head ‘government buildings’. The projects include the completion of residences for judicial officers in judicial complexes at Jhelum and Sohawa; construction of residences for judicial officers at Kahuta, Rawalpindi; construction of judicial offices and a records block at the Lahore High Court; construction of family courts in Khanewal; construction of judicial complexes at Daska, Phalia and Chunian; construction of a judicial complex at Lahore; construction of a court and residence for an additional district and sessions judge at Pindi Gheb, Attock; construction of courts at Toba Tek Singh; for the preservation of old buildings at the LHC and Aiwan-i-Adl; construction of a double storey mosque in the Lahore High Court; construction of a bar room at the judicial complex in Dunyapur, Lodhran district; and provision of split air conditioners at the LHC’s Multan bench.

Under the head ‘judiciary’, Rs1.12 million has been allocated for the acquisition of five kanals and nine marlas to build a proper entrance to the judicial complex at Pattoki, Kasur. Under the head ‘new schemes’, Rs11.26 million has been allocated for the construction of four courtrooms for additional district and sessions judges in Kasur and Rs10 million for the construction of a record room in the new judicial complex at Multan.

The LHC administration spent Rs7.57 billion of its non-development allocation of Rs8.12 billion for 2011-12, saving around Rs544.8 million. The total non-development budget of Rs9.26 billion includes Rs7.70 billion for salaries and Rs1.56 billion for other expenses. The LHC budget includes spending for all the courts in the province except the Supreme Court benches.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Infrastructure: Rs33 billion allocated for roads</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391468/infrastructure-rs33-billion-allocated-for-roads</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391468/infrastructure-rs33-billion-allocated-for-roads#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:57:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391468</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Proposed budget is for 182 ongoing schemes, of which 6 are in Lahore; 21 new schemes, of which 2 are in Lahore.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The government allocated Rs33.045 billion for road infrastructure in the 2012-2013 provincial budget on Saturday.


A total of Rs13.911 billion has been allocated for 21 new schemes while Rs2 billion has been allocated for the completion of the Lahore Ring Road.

The proposed budget is for 182 ongoing schemes, out which six of schemes are located in Lahore; and 21 new schemes, out of which two schemes are in Lahore.

The two new schemes in Lahore are the construction of a road along the Khaira Distributry from Package 17 of the Ring Road to Ferozepur Road and the widening and improvement of the remaining portion of Bedian Road, including the construction of a bridge over BRB Canal.

The ongoing schemes in Lahore include the construction of an overhead bridge at the Sui-i-Asal crossing in Raiwind, the construction and widening of 8.5km of Ferozepur Road from Kahna to Raiwind, the renovation of the Multan Road dual carriageway and the rehabilitation of Multan Road from Thokar Niaz Baig till Chauburji.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Bureaucracy: Chief Minister’s Secretariat budget reduced</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391467/bureaucracy-chief-minister%e2%80%99s-secretariat-budget-reduced</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391467/bureaucracy-chief-minister%e2%80%99s-secretariat-budget-reduced#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:36:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[anwer.sumra]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391467</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rs186.968 million allocated for Governor’s House, Governor’s Secretariat and governor’s personal spending.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab government has allocated Rs259.836 million to meet the current expenditures of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat for the upcoming financial year, a reduction from the allocation of Rs266.419 million for the year ending June 30. The budget for the CM’s Secretariat for 2011-12 was later revised to Rs389.619 million.


The government also allocated Rs77.17 million for the Governor’s Secretariat, Rs95.431 million for Governor’s House and Rs14.367 million for the personal expenditure of Governor Sardar Latif Khosa.

According to the CM’s Secretariat budget, the number of employees posted to the secretariat has been reduced from 933 to 624. The number of posts for officers, ranging from BS-16 to special scales, has been curtailed from 111 to 89. There are four special scale slots, including one for a chief photographer (a post created this year). There is also one BS-21 principal secretary and two BS-20 secretaries at the secretariat.

The government also allocated Rs145.716 million to meet the expenditure of the provincial cabinet. There are 59 cabinet members, including five advisors, 16 ministers, 35 parliamentary secretaries and special assistants and two special assistants, as well as the chief minister himself.

A total of Rs50.414 million has been allocated to the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT). The funds will pay the salaries of 111 CMIT employees, including 24 officers. One post of chief sanitary inspector in BS-21 has been created in the team.

The budget includes Rs134.871 million to pay the salaries of the 283 employees of the provincial ombudsman in the upcoming financial year. The office previously had 232 employees. The ombudsman himself is on a special scale.

A total of Rs76.653 million has been allocated to the VIP Flight Maintenance and Operation Cell, which arranges the chief minister’s air travel. It has 44 employees of which 22 are officers, including one chief pilot and three co-pilots. Another Rs81.694 million was allocated to the aviation flight cell, which operates an M-17 helicopter for the chief minister’s travel. The cell has 42 employees of whom seven are officers, including two pilots.

The government allocated Rs29.89 million to the office of the Director General for Protocol for the upcoming financial year. The office has 78 employees including 11 officers.

Governor

A total of Rs186.968 million has been allocated to the meet the expenses of Governor’s House, the Governor’s Secretariat and the governor’s personal spending in 2012-13. The government allocated 95.431 million to Governor’s House, which was allocated Rs80.966 million in 2011-12.  The Governor’s Secretariat has 182 employees including 24 officers and is headed by a principal secretary in BS-21. Governor’s House has 264 employees and it is headed by a military secretary. Twenty-two of these employees are officers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Health: Lowest allocation for research and development</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391430/health-lowest-allocation-for-research-and-development</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391430/health-lowest-allocation-for-research-and-development#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:29:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ali.usman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391430</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Three drug-testing labs and two food-testing labs to be set up.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Research and development got the lowest allocation of Rs408.567 million in the Rs16.5 billion development budget for the Health Department for 2012-13.

The budget includes a block allocation of Rs4.452 billion, Rs3.464 billion for medical education, Rs1.035 billion for preventive and primary healthcare, Rs2.263 billion for an accelerated healthcare programme and Rs4.102 billion for tertiary care hospitals.

The research and development budget includes Rs92.197 million for the establishment of a drug testing laboratory in Rawalpindi, Rs77.163 million for one in Faisalabad and Rs54.02 million for one in Multan; and Rs77.163 million for the establishment of a food testing laboratory in Rawalpindi and Rs50.067 million for one in Faisalabad.

The government allocated Rs100 million for the Expanded Program for Immunisation, Rs100 million for the TB Control Programme, Rs100 million for provision of cell separator machines to blood banks at teaching hospitals and Rs300 million for the Prevention and Control of Epidemics Programme.

Hospitals and colleges

The government allocated Rs800 million for the construction of the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology; Rs200 million for the establishment of a burn and reconstruction surgery centre in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad; Rs705.678 million for the purchase of equipment for 400-bed hospital affiliated with Quaid-i-Azam Medical College; Rs292.042 million for the establishment of a modern burn unit at Nishtar Hospital, Multan; Rs201.186 million for facilities in the Multan Institute of Cardiology; and Rs114.376 million for the establishment of a kidney transplantation unit at Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital.

The budget includes Rs700 million for Gujranwala Medical College, Rs800 million for Khawaja Safdar Medical College Sialkot, Rs685 million for Sahiwal Medical College and Rs714 million for DG Khan Medical College. Another Rs35.980 million has been allocated for a health management information system and Rs11.650 million for a performance management system.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Education: Rs4b for missing facilities in schools, Rs4b for laptops</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391448/education-rs4b-for-missing-facilities-in-schools-rs4b-for-laptops</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391448/education-rs4b-for-missing-facilities-in-schools-rs4b-for-laptops#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:23:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ali.usman]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391448</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rs1b to be spent on setting up Punjab Technology University.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government has allocated Rs4 billion for the provision of missing facilities in 2,000 primary schools – half of them girls’ schools – in the Annual Development Programme for 2012-2013.

Another Rs4.484 billion has been allocated for other new schemes for the Schools Education Department, which has been given a total development budget of Rs15 billion.

The new projects include Rs500 million for the rehabilitation of schools in 13 flood-affected districts; Rs519 million for the establishment of upgrading of girls middle schools to high schools in union councils; Rs500 million for the establishment or rehabilitation of schools in congested urban areas and housing societies in urban peripheries; Rs700 million for the conversion of high/higher secondary schools to model schools with enrolment of over 1,000 students in grades 8 to 10; and Rs400 million for the provision of furniture in schools.

Higher education 

The Punjab government allocated Rs1.463 billion for the establishment of new colleges in the Rs6.65 billion development budget for the Higher Education Department.

This includes a block allocation of Rs2.272 billion, which can be spent on any project at the chief minister’s discretion. Some Rs175.307 million has been allocated for the Punjab Education Sector Reform Programme.

About Rs300 million of the Rs700 million allocated for special education projects is a block allocation, while Rs254 million has been allocated for new schemes. A total of Rs44 million has been allocated for the provision of uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems or generators in special education institutions.

Literacy and non formal basic education has been allotted Rs915 million, with a block allocation of Rs548 million. Around Rs300 million is for new schemes and Rs67 million for ongoing schemes.

Daanish Schools and laptops

The government allocated Rs2 billion for the Daanish School System, Rs2 billion for the Punjab Education Endowment Fund and Rs6.5 billion for the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF). Some Rs1 billion is to be spent on setting up the Punjab Technology University, and Rs1 billion on buses for girls’ colleges. The budget also includes Rs4 billion for the provision of laptops to bright students.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Outstanding: Punjab’s debt stands at Rs354.7b</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391428/outstanding-punjab%e2%80%99s-debt-stands-at-rs354-7b</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391428/outstanding-punjab%e2%80%99s-debt-stands-at-rs354-7b#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:22:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391428</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[This debt consists of Rs59.844 billion domestic loans and Rs.354.712 billion foreign loans.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The outstanding debt of the province stands at Rs414.556 billion at the end of fiscal year 2011-12.


This debt consists of Rs59.844 billion domestic loans and Rs.354.712 billion foreign loans.

The foreign debt rose by around Rs10 billion. It was recorded at Rs344.514 billion in June 2011. New loans amounting to Rs13.590 billion were taken and debt worth Rs14.788 billion repaid by the government in 2011-12.

Another Rs11.396 billion was added to the province’s foreign debt on account of the depreciation of the rupee.

The domestic loans declined from Rs76.147 billion (in June 2011) to Rs59.844 billion. Loans amounting to Rs16303 billion were repaid in the outgoing fiscal year.

The government had in May 2011 announced that it would not take more foreign loans.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punjab budget: Development allocation 13.5% above last year’s level</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391444/punjab-budget-development-allocation-13-5-above-last-year%e2%80%99s-level</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391444/punjab-budget-development-allocation-13-5-above-last-year%e2%80%99s-level#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 02:11:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[anwer.sumra]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391444</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rs40b allocated for 15 special initiatives.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government presented its biggest ever Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Rs250 billion for the upcoming 2012-13 financial year, exceeding the development budget for the year ending June 30 by Rs30 billion.


Though significantly higher than last year’s budget, the funds will be spent on fewer projects   1,178   than the 1,904 projects allocated funds for 2011-12. The budget was presented by Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, who was assigned the portfolio of finance minister after Rana Asif Mehmood resigned over dual nationality issues.

The ADP includes Rs40 billion for 15 special initiatives: Rs1.5 billion for a low income housing scheme; Rs3 billion for a population welfare programme; Rs2 billion for the Danish Schools System; Rs2 billion for the Punjab Education Endowment Fund; Rs6.5 billion for the Punjab Education Foundation; Rs1.5 billion for the Technical Education and Vocation Training Authority; Rs5.5 billion for the Directorate of Labour Inspections; Rs1 billion for establishing the Punjab Technical University in Lahore; Rs3 billion for a self-employment scheme; Rs1 billion for women’s development; Rs500 million for an innovation development fund; Rs1.5 billion for an internship programme; Rs600 million for Parks and Horticulture Authorities; Rs5 billion for vertical health programmes; and Rs5.4 billion for various government sector companies established under the Companies Act.

The development budget includes Rs86.461 billion for social sector projects, a significant increase over the previous year’s allocation of Rs71.635 billion and the largest allocation for any sector in this year’s ADP.

A total of Rs62.9 billion has been earmarked for infrastructure development projects, up from Rs59 billion for the previous financial year; Rs8.615 billion for the production sector; Rs1 billion for the forestry, wildlife and fisheries sector; and Rs11.1 billion for the services sector, up from Rs5.89 billion the previous year.

The government allocated Rs5.424 billion for other sectors, including Rs350 million for the environment; Rs200 million for information, culture and youth affairs; Rs350 million for archaeology; Rs185 million for religious affairs; Rs220 million for human rights and minority affairs; and Rs4.119 billion for planning and development.

The budget includes Rs35.5 billion for special programmes and packages across various sectors to be announced by the chief minister in the upcoming financial year.

Of the Rs220 billion ADP for 2011-12, the government had utilised Rs120 billion by the end of May, and would likely be able to use only Rs150 billion by the end of June, said an official.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Wage earners: Rs11.1b allocated for services sector</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391472/wage-earners-rs11-1b-allocated-for-services-sector</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391472/wage-earners-rs11-1b-allocated-for-services-sector#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 00:53:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391472</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Transport gets Rs6.2b while IT receives Rs2.4b.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government, in its budget for 2012-13, has allocated Rs11.1 billion for the services sector, which is 4.44% of the annual development programme of Rs250 billion for the province.

The services sector comprises information technology, labour and human resource department, transport, emergency services and tourism. For IT, Rs2.4 billion has been earmarked, of which Rs1.363 billion will be spent on ongoing schemes and Rs1.036 billion on new schemes.

For labour and human resource, the government has set aside Rs100 million. Of this, Rs68.446 million will be spent on ongoing schemes while Rs31.554 million will go to new schemes.

The transport sector has got a handsome allocation of Rs6.2 billion, of which Rs20 million will be used for one ongoing scheme while Rs6.180 billion will be spent on five new schemes.

The provincial government, in collaboration with Turkey, will start a state-of-the-art Metro Bus service in the provincial capital Lahore. Later, the service would be expanded to all mega cities of the province.

Emergency services got a share of Rs2.1 billion in the budget, of which Rs736 million will be for five ongoing schemes and Rs1.364 billion will go to new schemes.

The tourism sector got only Rs300 million. In the area, no money will be spent on ongoing schemes while Rs124 million will go to six new schemes. The remaining Rs176 million has been reserved for block schemes.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Power crisis: Punjab earmarks Rs10b for energy projects</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391473/power-crisis-punjab-earmarks-rs10b-for-energy-projects</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391473/power-crisis-punjab-earmarks-rs10b-for-energy-projects#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 00:49:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[shahram.haq]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391473</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Industries to get only Rs350m out of Rs250b development budget.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government has allocated only Rs350 million for industries, commerce and investment in the province, which is 1.4% of the total annual development budget of Rs250 billion for the fiscal year 2012-13.


However for energy projects, the government has set aside Rs10 billion in order to facilitate the industries, shows the budget documents as the Punjab government announced its budget for 2012-13 here on Saturday.

Out of the Rs350 million, Rs189.050 million will be spent on seven ongoing schemes while Rs160.950 million has been allocated to six new schemes.

To tackle the energy crisis, the provincial government has earmarked Rs10 billion for construction of five hydropower stations, feasibility study for development of coal-based power projects and an industrial estate as well as for installation of solar tube wells.

Out of the Rs10 billion, Rs1.985 billion will be spent on ongoing projects while Rs8.015 billion will go to new projects. The provincial government will provide Rs8.5 billion while the remaining Rs1.5 billion will come in shape of foreign aid.

Punjab, which consumes 68% of total electricity generated in the country, has taken some measures to cope with the energy shortfall that has hurt its economic growth.

Highlighting the steps, it said it had established the Punjab Power Development Company to develop five hydropower projects with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Punjab Power Development Board to facilitate private sector investment in the power sector.

Besides these, an independent energy department has also been established by the provincial government to plan, oversee and administer the development, growth and regulation of the energy sector.

The government announced that it would give incentives for encouraging public-private partnerships in the energy sector. It has already started construction of two hydropower stations at Marala (7.64 megawatts) and Pakpattan (2.82MW), whereas work on the other three hydropower stations at Deg Outfall (4.04MW), Chianwali (5.38MW) and Okara (4.16MW) is expected to start soon.

The provincial government has already entered into an agreement for 180MW Kot Addu power project with a Chinese company. It has also expressed interest in generating electricity from sugarcane waste and has set aside Rs1 billion in the budget for alternative energy resources.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Budget: Energy crisis claims 330,000 jobs in Punjab</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391471/budget-energy-crisis-claims-330000-jobs-in-punjab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391471/budget-energy-crisis-claims-330000-jobs-in-punjab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 12 00:46:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391471</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Provincial government blames load-shedding for economic downturn.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Terming the power shortage as the reason for worsening joblessness, the Punjab government in budget 2012-13 has claimed that over 330,000 people in the province have lost their jobs due to load-shedding, resulting in export losses of about $1 billion.


In the summary on the budget, it is claimed that more than 1,300 small to medium sized industrial units have been forced to shut down because of the energy crisis.

Terming Punjab as the province mainly hit by load-shedding, the budget document said that Punjab in particular, continued to face disproportionately high load-shedding of electricity and gas in 2011-12 which besides creating operational problems for the existing industries and business in the province, discouraged new private investments and impeded the process of employment generation. It said that according to the findings of a study - Medium Term Fiscal Framework, cost of load shedding to the province in terms of losses and higher costs of industrial production are as large as Rs250 billion which is equal to 3% of gross domestic product.

It is estimated that the cost to the economy as a consequence of gas shortfall could be as high as Rs110 billion with Punjab facing the major brunt. It said that recognising the role of energy as the major constraint on economic growth in the province, the government of Punjab besides urging the federal government to resolve the problem of energy shortage has evolved a comprehensive strategy and programme for energy generation in the province. The objective is to provide uninterrupted power supply to province’s major industrial hubs, it claimed.

In the budget summary, the provincial government stated that since provinces are largely dependent on Federal Divisible Pool receipts, slippages or variances in actual versus the budgeted amount under Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) receipts have a consequential negative impact on budgetary projections of provincial governments resulting in fiscal constraints. Based on the reported collection of first 11 months of fiscal year 2011-12 to the tune of Rs1,61 trillion, it will be difficult for FBR to achieve the assigned target of Rs1.952 trillion as collection of Rs341 billion will be required in the last month, it said. Consequently, Federal Divisible Pool transfers to Punjab Government are likely to fall short by an amount of Rs15 to 20 billion.

It also said that the General Sales Tax (GST) on services has provided a window of opportunity for provincial government to improve its share of revenue collection in the overall resource envelope. Therefore to fully harness the true potential of GST on services, the Punjab government has decided to establish Punjab Revenue Authority which will initially be responsible for collection of GST on services in the current fiscal year. Similarly, through structural reforms and administrative simplifications in the existing tax collection framework, the provincial government will be striving to further improve its revenue collection in the fiscal year 2012-13.

It said that in the current climate of fiscal restraints and limited resource availability, it will be an endeavour to manage the available resources in an effective, economical and efficient manner. On the expenditure side, besides focusing on allocative efficiency, the administration will aim to encourage reduction in the current expenditure without compromising the capacity and ability of the government to provide basic amenities and services to general public at an affordable cost.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Water woes: Power dues draw a blank in KWSB’s new budget</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391288/water-woes-power-dues-draw-a-blank-in-kwsb%e2%80%99s-new-budget</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391288/water-woes-power-dues-draw-a-blank-in-kwsb%e2%80%99s-new-budget#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jun 12 21:55:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saad.hasan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391288</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Water utility proposes Rs29b for 2012-13 with no mention of outstanding electricity bills.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board’s (KWSB) budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year does not include any allocations to clear its outstanding power bills of the Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC).


For the 2012-13 fiscal year, the KWSB has prepared a budget of Rs29 billion – slightly more than the Rs26.2 billion last year – with an estimated Rs11.6 billion as the non-development expenditure, including salaries, electricity bills and some other development works, officials told The Express Tribune.

The budget comes along with an increase in water charges for bulk consumers and offers little hope for settling the ongoing payment crisis with the KESC. The utilities have been at loggerheads for months over the issue of bill payments. The power company claims that the KWSB owes it more than Rs16 billion in electricity bills. The water utility, however, insists the dues are not that much.

The argument has caused massive headache for millions of citizens, as the power utility regularly cuts off electricity supply to the KWSB’s main water pumping station at Dhabeji.

A KWSB official said that the fact that allocations have not been made for payment of electricity bills indicates the hard stance the management has taken against the KESC.

In the new budget, the board has asked for Rs13.25 billion for the government-funded water projects, including K-IV and K-III, to bring much-needed water to the city. Funds will also be spent on the ‘Sewerage Improvement Plan- III’. The K-IV project, which envisages supply of 260 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to Karachi in the first phase, was to be completed last year; but work on the scheme has not even started. For two years now, the KWSB has been allocating Rs1 billion in its budgets for the project.

It also remains unclear if the water board will spend any money to reactivate its sewage treatment facilities. Of the three treatment plants with total capacity of treating 151.5 MGD wastewater, two have been shut down and raw sewage is being dumped into the sea.

For the ongoing smaller projects, the water utility has sought Rs5.2 billion, which is less than what it received from the government in the previous year.

“The budget has been prepared amid a lot of confusion,” a senior official, requesting anonymity, said. “We don’t even know yet whether the KWSB reports to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) or the Sindh government?”

This may not necessarily have any impact on the budget but raises the question whether the KWSB will make the details public when the KMC announces its budget later this month.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Worthy plans?: In first budget after  revival, KMC to focus on traffic woes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391284/worthy-plans-in-first-budget-after-revival-kmc-to-focus-on-traffic-woes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/391284/worthy-plans-in-first-budget-after-revival-kmc-to-focus-on-traffic-woes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jun 12 21:11:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saad.hasan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=391284</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[City administration seeks Rs27b in next budget with Rs12b reserved for development schemes.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be over Rs27 billion with Rs12 billion set aside for various development schemes, The Express Tribune has learnt.


In the 2012-13 budget, most of the development funds will be used for building roads and bridges, and signal-free corridors as the city continues to struggle with the increasing traffic flow.

KMC Technical Services Director Altaf G Memon said that the proposal for around 28 infrastructure development schemes costing at least Rs7 billion has been sent to the government. Similarly, other city administration departments like health, parks and horticulture, and zoo have also sent their proposals for development projects.

“We want Rs5 billion under the Annual Development Programme and have also asked for Rs2 billion as part of the federal government’s Karachi Package,” said Karachi Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed.

The budget to be announced later this month is less than half of the Rs70.69 billion that was allocated in the previous year, when the city government was functional. However, that amount also included Rs26 billion for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), which has now been made a separate entity.

KMC Finance Director Amir Khurshid told The Express Tribune that the budget has been reduced as quite a few departments have been shifted back to the provincial government after the revival of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 1979.

For the KMC, a lot depends on the budgetary allocations made by the federal and provincial governments, as rising fuel prices and high inflation rate mean that more funds are spent on non-development expenditures. The organisation has around 26,400 employees.

While the shifting of departments has reduced the burden of staff at the KMC, the city administration is also facing losses in revenue. The domicile and weapons licence issuing authority that it had until last year meant income through the fees.

In the outgoing financial year, the city administration’s budget was Rs44.56 billion of which around Rs27.7 billion was injected by the government. It had targeted to raise Rs16.8 billion under the head of taxes, which included outdoor advertisements, entry fees at public parks, licence fee from butchers, and entertainment duty on musical events.

But the city administrator says that some of the revenue targets were exaggerated. “Under the local government ordinance, we were not allowed to have a deficit budget,” said Syed. “Development funding was linked with the capacity to increase our own revenue, so we had to inflate the numbers,” he admitted.

The upcoming budget, however, would give a clear idea of how much the KMC is actually capable of generating from its own sources, which are definitely not scarce. The corporation also has the support of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) this year. According to a senior official, the KDA will be able to raise Rs800 million under the tax heads of ground rent and non-utilisation.

Another addition to the budget would be the charges the KMC collects for providing municipal services – the rates of which vary according to the residence size. For instance, 80- to 120-square-yard houses would pay Rs150 per month, while 500-square-yard houses would pay Rs400 per month. Shops, including those inside shopping malls, are charged at a fixed rate of one rupee per square foot.

The KMC had targeted to collect Rs1 billion for municipal services in the outgoing fiscal year, but officials said that only a small amount was recovered.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.]]>
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