Centre depriving Sindh of its due share in funds, claims CM

Budget of around Rs1.4 trillion for 2018-19 has a development portfolio of Rs343 billion

KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah alleged that the federal government has cut its funds and abnormally delayed the transfer of Sindh's share in the federal divisible pool, which has hindered development works in Sindh.

During the post-budget briefing at the Sindh Assembly's auditorium on Friday, the CM said, "Sindh is being deprived of its due rights and share."

Speaking about the funds that have not been released, the CM said, "In the current fiscal year, the federal government was supposed to give us Rs493 billion, but it later revised the amount to Rs480 billion, of which only Rs449 billion was released. This means they slashed around Rs21.5 billion from the estimated amount," Shah said.

He called the Sindh budget a 'model budget' that will provide relief to the poor. Referring to his meetings with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the CM said, "I raised genuine issues with him a number of times and demanded provincial autonomy as per the 18th Amendment, but he was reluctant and did not respond properly."



He said that the provincial government has presented a budget of around Rs1.4 trillion with a development portfolio of Rs343 billion, which is the highest in the province's history. Shah said that the total allocation for the road sector was Rs27 billion and major schemes have been finished and many others are in the pipeline. Referring to the Karachi-Thatta dual carriageway, he said that it was a 49 kilometre-long project that was completed at an estimated cost of Rs8.85 billion. The project was completed on a build, finance, operate and transfer basis and inaugurated on March 29.

The Kandhkot-Ghotki bridge on the Indus River is an approximately Rs10 billion project. A detailed feasibility study for the bridge was initiated. This landmark project will immensely benefit commuters and cargo movement between the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab by reducing distance and saving time and fuel.

Shah said that the M9-N5 link road is a 22km-long project connecting the Superhighway and National Highway. It has been planned to manage traffic on the highways. "With this, the congestion of traffic in Malir, Bin Qasim and Landhi will be reduced," he said, adding that the Sir Aga Khan Jhirk-Mulla Katiar Bridge project, at an estimated cost of Rs4.5 billion, has also been completed and the bridge is now operational.



He said that Sanghar, Tando Adam, Nawabshah and Naushero Feroz are among other areas where the government has laid down a network of roads.

The CM said his government has presented the entire year's budget, but will request the Sindh Assembly to authorise expenditure for only three months - from July to September. "Let the next government initiate the new schemes and pass the budget for the rest of its tenure," he said.

Regarding the shortage of water in Sindh, the CM said that there is around 55% reduction of water in Sindh, which has created problems for farmers.  "The federal government assured implementation of the National Water Commission Accord providing due share to Sindh, but nothing has been done," he said.



He lauded the services rendered by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), claiming that it is the biggest centre for the treatment of heart-related issue. "It is providing timely and accessible cardiac services to the people of Sindh at their doorsteps free of charge," he praised, adding that the government, with the help of the NICVD, has established satellite centres at Tando Muhammad Khan, Larkana, Hyderabad and Sehwan. These modern and well equipped cardiac facilities are providing free of charge emergency care 24/7 by internationally and locally trained cardiac specialists, paramedic staff and technicians, Shah explained.

Three more NICVD centres will be made functional in Nawabshah, Khairpur and Mithi this year. The grant for NICVD has, therefore, been increased from Rs5.77 billion to Rs8.09 billion in the next financial year.

Criticising the Rs25 billion federal-funded package, he said, "It had earlier announced Rs25 billion, but the governor, while addressing a press conference, only briefed about Rs7 billion for Karachi." The federal government has not kept funds in its public sector development programme for Karachi, he said.

Regarding the judicial commission on water, the CM said that the commission has visited various areas of Sindh and in light of its recommendations, the Sindh government has kept around Rs37 billion for water and sanitation schemes in the province.



Regarding the tenure of the Sindh Assembly, the CM said "The incumbent assembly is going to end its tenure on May 28 and after a two-month caretaker government, elections will be held."

He went on to comment that all political parties in the country have weakened, but the Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged as a massive force in last five years and will rule the country in the coming days.