‘Sindh given complete share in NFC Award’

Finance ministry states Rs275.2b released to province in first half of FY19

ISLAMABAD: In response to the lawmakers’ criticism during the Sindh Assembly session on Monday, the Ministry of Finance on Thursday said the federal government had given complete share of the province in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and lesser funds were not transferred.

According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, Rs251.5 billion was released to Sindh, while the Federal Board of Revenue’s tax collection was recorded at Rs1,845.3 billion in fiscal year 2017-18.
It further stated that during the first half of FY 2018-19, tax collection came in at Rs2,011.4 billion while Rs275.2 billion was released to Sindh.



The finance ministry said the provinces were being provided their share from the tax collection as per the NFC Award formulas.

On Monday, majority of lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly criticised the federal government for adopting delaying tactics in releasing funds to the province and demanded a new NFC Award.

The opposition members did not oppose Sindh's demand for its share; however, they expressed concern alleging that most of the funds released by the federal government were being bungled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ministers.

The debate on this issue started on an adjournment motion filed by PPP MPA Nida Khuhro. In it, she said, "The federal government has not given priority to NFC Award in its 100 days. It is the obligation of the federal government to issue new NFC Award every five years. The last award was given by the PPP government in 2010. We demand of the PTI government to announce new awards and enhance provincial share from 57%."

Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Mohammad Hussain supported the adjournment motion, but suggested the PPP lawmakers should raise the issue in the National Assembly and the Senate.

"Sindh generates 70% of the country’s revenue. There is a need to protest on this issue at every forum," he said, adding that the provincial government, after receiving its share, must implement the Provincial Finance Commission Award and give due share to its districts.

Arif Mustafa Jatoi of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) opposed the idea to enhance the provincial share in the NFC Award, saying, "PPP government's credibility is at stake. They will burn through the funds instead of utilising them for development schemes."

When the speaker asked whether he was against the NFC Award, he said, "No. I am not against the award, but I am against the release funds to the PPP government because they steal money." He referred to a money laundering case against former president Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur.