Haleem terms new budget pro-people

The opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh termed on Saturday the upcoming budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 as 'pro-people and 'growth oriented', claiming that all the promises made to the people regarding the allocation of funds and providing relief were fulfilled in the budget presented by the federal government.

Haleem expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Sindh Assembly's committee room.

He said that the upcoming budget offers maximum relief for the labourers, farmers, traders and all the low-income factions of the society and different loan schemes have been introduced for their facility.

According to Haleem, the tax on electronic goods and cars has been reduced to 1%, custom duty has been reduced to 3% from 11% while the tax on cash withdrawal from banks and custom duty on cars below 800CC has completely been waived off.

The total funds reserved for the Public Sector Development Program has been increased up to Rs900b, Rs260b were reserved for Ehsas Program and Rs739b have been announced for Karachi Transformation Plan in the new budget, said Haleem.

He said that Rs682b have been reserved for a subsidy in different sectors such as electricity, gas and food items, which is 226% greater than that in the budget for current FY.

"Special and interest-free loans have been introduced to help boost the economy," said Haleem.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^h, 2021.