Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has taken the serious notice of the news about emergence of drought conditions and death of the minor children in district Tharparkar and directed the Sindh Minister for Health, Minister for Livestock, Minister Relief, provincial secretary Rehabilitation and Commissioner Mirpurkhas and Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar to visit the areas along with their concerned secretaries/other officials respectively to ascertain the situation, envisage prompt strategy and resolve the miseries of the people within shortest possible time. The Chief Minister Sindh said that there was a mechanism, under which each department/organization is working under the administration of responsible provincial minister who have to fulfill their responsibility with dedication. The Chief Minister Sindh directed the Commissioner Mirpukhas, Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar, Revenue and Relief Department also to ascertain the situation and submit their report about prevailing condition and response of concerned department. He warned that negligence in this regard would not be tolerated.
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Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Spokesman of Sindh Chief Minister Sindh has said that in addition to its own Annual budget of Rs 33.6 billion, the Sindh Government is spending more than 47 billion for the development of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) during this financial year 2014-15 not only to provide civic facilities to the people of Karachi but also to improve its infrastructure. He said that Rs 28.768 billion has been allocated for the schemes of provincial ADP while Rs 3.75 billion for Distt ADP 2014-15 in Karachi. In addition to that grant in aid of Rs 5 billion was being provided to KW&SWB, and other grant in aid about Rs 10 billion is being provided to KMC in the shape of Rs 827 million per month for providing civic facilities to the people. Likewise Rs 31.7 billion for provincial ADP and Rs 3 billion for Distt ADP with Rs 2.6 billion to KMC had also been provided for the development and civic facilities during last year 2013-14. Expressing his surprise over the statement issued by a trader’s body for holding responsible to the Chief Minister for unhygienic condition in Karachi, leaving KMC from its basic responsibility away the Spokesman termed it unjustified and their discriminative approach. He said that the members of this Traders body are aware of the fact that a separate ministry and organization is available with resources, which was the responsible to do the job and concern ministry organization was supposed to look after the work of sanitation. So Far the their impression about the Development of the Karachi is concern the Sindh Government under the directives of Chief Minister Sindh, has not only earmarked huge development package but planned mega development projects and has made huge investment on the construction of flyovers, bridges, Lyari Expressway, repair of KMC Buses and earmarking funds for KCR, K-VI, S-III and green bus services to facilitate the people of Karachi. He said that it is very sad to say that these services of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah have been ignored and not appreciated the trader’s organization. The spokesman said that out of Financial Package of Rs 47 billion grant-in-aid of Rs. 15 billion in non development head is being provided to KMC to provide healthy facilities to the citizens in addition to its annual budget of more than 33 billion to perform the civic duties. The spokesman further informs that even Sindh Government has released monthly installment of Rs. 827 million to KMC yesterday enabling it to perform accordingly and facilitated the people. But the some people instead of holding responsible to KMC are criticizing CM Sindh which reflects their discriminative attitude.
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Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has constituted a five member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Development, with Provincial Secretary Food, Provincial Secretary Finance, Provincial Secretary Agriculture and on other expert to be obtained by Committee as member to examine, evaluate and envisage efficient, transparent mechanism under which targeted subsidy to the vulnerable, poorest of poor and neediest segment of population in the province be provided.
He directed the Committee to work out the detailed number of the persons of targeted beneficiary and mode of implementation on proposed project and submit their report within 3 months. This he directed while presiding over the meeting about providing targeted subsidy to the poor people specially enabling them to purchase flour/wheat for their consumption at affordable prices. Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister Sindh said that the Sindh Govt is already spending an amount of Rs 3 billion on the subsidy on the wheat this financial year and Govt was considering the option for further increase to Rs 4.6 billion so as maintain the stability of the Flour (Atta) at reasonable rate within the reach of common man across the province from next year. The Chief Minister Sindh directed the officers to ensure that about 8 million poor people already registered with Benazir Bhutto Income support program in 23 districts of the province should be benefited from this programme. The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah who was also the president of PPP Sindh Chapter, said that PPP was representing and aware of the miseries of poor people as such has earmarked substantial budget for welfare of this segment of the society. He said that it was because of the PPP Govt that Sindh has lowest price of the flour at Rs 36 per KG as compared to Rs 39 per KG in Punjab and even higher in other provinces. He said that Sindh has no shortage of wheat and that it was able to meet the requirement of wheat supply round the year. The Chief Minister taking the notice of fluctuated prices of other kitchen item, vegetables, directed the management of bureau of supply & prices to evolve effective market mechanism to regulate and control the prices. He said that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had been holding weekly meetings to review the market prices and PPP to follow his policy. The Chief Minister Sindh also directed the Advocate General (AG) Sindh to approach the judiciary and get the Magisterial power of Revenue Officers restored or allocation of specific time by judiciary to hear the market related cases in their courts. Lauding the efforts of Commissioner Karachi The Chief Minister Sindh also directed all the commissioners / deputy commissioners and other revenue officers to monitor the markets of their respective areas and curb the illegal profiteering. The Chief Minister Sindh also directed the Administrator KMC and other management concerned to ensure the quality control of human consuming items in Karachi and other parts of province respectively and take server action against those who found involved in administration and inferior quality specially of eatable items.
The Chief Secretary Sindh Sajjad Saleem Hotiyana , Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Finance Secretary Sohail Rajput, Secretary Food Saeed Awan, Director Food Bachal Rahpoto , officers from Health , Agriculture and other concerned organizations attended the meeting.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Spokesman of Sindh Chief Minister Sindh has said that in addition to its own Annual budget of Rs 33.6 billion, the Sindh Government is spending more than 47 billion for the development of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) during this financial year 2014-15 not only to provide civic facilities to the people of Karachi but also to improve its infrastructure. He said that Rs 28.768 billion has been allocated for the schemes of provincial ADP while Rs 3.75 billion for Distt ADP 2014-15 in Karachi. In addition to that grant in aid of Rs 5 billion was being provided to KW&SWB, and other grant in aid about Rs 10 billion is being provided to KMC in the shape of Rs 827 million per month for providing civic facilities to the people. Likewise Rs 31.7 billion for provincial ADP and Rs 3 billion for Distt ADP with Rs 2.6 billion to KMC had also been provided for the development and civic facilities during last year 2013-14. Expressing his surprise over the statement issued by a trader’s body for holding responsible to the Chief Minister for unhygienic condition in Karachi, leaving KMC from its basic responsibility away the Spokesman termed it unjustified and their discriminative approach. He said that the members of this Traders body are aware of the fact that a separate ministry and organization is available with resources, which was the responsible to do the job and concern ministry organization was supposed to look after the work of sanitation. So Far the their impression about the Development of the Karachi is concern the Sindh Government under the directives of Chief Minister Sindh, has not only earmarked huge development package but planned mega development projects and has made huge investment on the construction of flyovers, bridges, Lyari Expressway, repair of KMC Buses and earmarking funds for KCR, K-VI, S-III and green bus services to facilitate the people of Karachi. He said that it is very sad to say that these services of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah have been ignored and not appreciated the trader’s organization. The spokesman said that out of Financial Package of Rs 47 billion grant-in-aid of Rs. 15 billion in non development head is being provided to KMC to provide healthy facilities to the citizens in addition to its annual budget of more than 33 billion to perform the civic duties. The spokesman further informs that even Sindh Government has released monthly installment of Rs. 827 million to KMC yesterday enabling it to perform accordingly and facilitated the people. But the some people instead of holding responsible to KMC are criticizing CM Sindh which reflects their discriminative attitude.
SINDH TO HAVE TWO MORE INDUSTRIAL PARKS WITH SEZ STATUS UNDER SEZ ACT 2012
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Government of Sindh under the visionary leadership of Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh has been able to get the SEZ status for two more industrial zones in the province namely Korangi Creek Industrial Park and Bin Qasim Industrial Park during Second Meeting of Approval Committee of Board of Investment under SEZ Act 2012. The meeting which was chaired by Dr Mifta Ismail, Chairman Board of Investment and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan unanimously approved both the applications which were submitted by the Government of Sindh on 22ndof July 2014.
It is also mentioned here that being the Chairman of Special Economic Zone Authority, Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah Chief Minister Sindh had earlier approved the above two Industrial Zones to be recommended to Board of Approvals, Islamabad for the award of SEZ Status which will guarantee the benefits that are offered under the SEZ ACT 2012. The main fiscal benefits under the act of 2012 ensure a corporate tax holiday of ten years for investors and developers as well as duty free import of capital goods and machinery. The Korangi Creek Industrial Park is being developed on 240 acres of land that is located in sector 38 of Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi. The estimated project cost is Rs.3.8 billion. The project is visualized to bring PKR 20 billion direct investment and contribute PKR 40 billion to GDP and generate direct employment for 30,000 individuals. The park is divided into two zones: a low density zone for industries and a high density zone for commercial sectors. The low density zone will include industrial units of food and pharmaceuticals, garments and textiles, light engineering, packaging and printing, warehousing and logistics. The high density zone will exclusively promote information technology, gems and jewellery and other ancillary and allied sectors. The Bin Qasim Industrial Park (BQIP) is spread over an area of 930 acres near Port Qasim, adjacent to Arabian Sea Country Club, Bin Qasim Town, Karachi. The estimated cost is Rs.9.8 billion. The project is envisioned to fetch PKR 50 billion direct investment, contribute PKR 100 billion to GDP and generate direct employment for 50,000 individuals. The project has been designed to cater to the needs of medium and large-scale entrepreneurs aspiring to invest especially in the engineering sector and the steel industry of Pakistan. The proposed industrial clusters under the zone include engineering and equipment, chemicals and food, logistics and consumer goods.
The engineering and equipment cluster includes auto vendors, foundries and steel fabricating units; the chemicals and food cluster consists of pharmaceuticals, food and beverages and chemicals, while consumer goods include plastics, electrics and consumer electronics. It is worth mentioned here that Sindh is the only province which will have three Industrial Zones with SEZ Status as the Federal government had already awarded the SEZ Status to Khairpur Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) which is the First Industrial Park in the country to have been awarded the SEZ Status under the Act of 2012. It is hoped that with this status to more SEZs, the economic activity in the province will get a booster for more job creation, support poverty alleviation and uplift the socio economic conditions for people. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Muhammad Riazuddin, Director General, SBI, Dr. Raania Ahsan, DG, Board of Investment, Islamabad Mr. Abdul Azeem Uqaili, Director Projects, SBI and other stake holders from all provinces.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sind Syed Qaim Ali Shah has asked the Provincial Finance Department to release 1st installment of Rs 25 billion for the development works and directed the officers concerned to complete at least 405 ongoing development schemes during the Financial Year 2014-15. The Chief Minister directed the officers to prefer to the priority projects in financing and the schemes which are suppose to be completed by the end of this financial year. This he directed while presiding over meeting regarding formalities release policy for planning & development and Finance Department held at CM House Karachi today. The Advisor to CM for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Additional Chief Secretary P&D Muhammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Allumuddin Bullo, Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput, Secretary Planning & Development Ms. Rehana Memon , D.G Monitoring & Evaluation Syed Imtiaz Shah and other officer attended the meeting. After threadbare discussion the Advisor to CM for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah said that keeping in view the experience of last year, out of this amount of Rs, 25 billion Rs 10 billion would be released for the priority projects in hand, Rs 6 billion against 405 ongoing development schemes which are suppose to be completed by the end of this financial year at total investment of Rs 12 billion. It was decided that remaining Rs 6 billion would be released against these schemes after 100% utilization of 1st installment of Rs 6 Billion before or by the end of December 2014. Syed Murad Ali Shah further said that remaining Rs 9 billion would be released to the administrative department as per fixed ratio of their annual allocation especially for the schemes on their priority. Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the officers to expedite the ongoing development works and try to utilize their release up to 100% and complete at least 405 ongoing development schemes out of total 2937 development scheme included in ADP 2014-15 as par their commitment. He said that though the performance about utilization of development funds, during last financial year remained higher as compared to other provinces but still there is room of improvement and efficient strategy to achieve the more goals of development and facilitate the common man is required.
He said that the officers to give priority to the Health and Education department as there are mostly related to the public welfare. The Chief Minister Sindh also directed the officers to prepare their development schemes carefully one time, as revival of the development schemes at later stage was creating embracement and financial losses which would be now discouraged. The Chief Minister also directed the officers to review the new development schemes with nominal allocation and stressed for conceiving the development schemes which must be completed within two to three years, rather than needs long span of the time to complete. The Additional Chief Secretary development Muhammad Waseem while briefing the meeting, said that as many as 2937 development schemes have been included into the ADP 2014-15 which include 1658 ongoing and 1279 new development schemes. He said that out of 1658 ongoing development schemes much amount has already been invested on 405 schemes and these could be completed by the end of this Financial Year with total remaining investment of Rs 12 billion and this amount would be released against these schemes in two installment of same size. He said that out of total 2465 development schemes including 1102 new and 1363 ongoing development schemes taken into hand last year total 607 have been completed and 163 schemes transferred to concerned district due to nature of size and work of these schemes.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sind Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the management concerned to increase the Permanent Transit Check Posts (PTCP) at the entry points of the province and big cities like Karachi, intensify the routine Anti-Polio coverage with self determination and ensure that Sindh should be polio free province by the end of 2015. He said that all requirements and logistic support would be provided to them in this nation importance task. This he directed while presiding over meeting regarding Permanent Transit Check Posts (PTCP) in Karachi at CM House today. The Chairperson over sight committed and MNA Madam Azra Fazul Pechuhu Provincial Co-ordinator Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Principals Secretary to CM Allumuddin Bullo , Additional IG Police Karachi Ghulam Qadir Tehbo, Commissioner o Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, All Deputy Commissioners of Karachi, Provincial Technical Focal Person for Polio Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh, Dr Mazhar Khamisani , PD-EPI, Shouk khatian , SP Motorway, The representatives from W.H.O UNICEF and Rotatory Club and other officers attended the meeting
Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that despite of tough condition of Law and order and War against terrorism, the organization working for eradication of Polio menace has performed well but still more efforts are needed eradicate and get rid of from this crippling disease with in shortest possible time. He said that the increasing number of the Polio in the country and province will create bad impression of world community against our country and we should treat Eradication of Polio as National challenge, and meet it at any cost. The Chief Minister Sindh said that Sindh Govt has made all resources available to the anti polio teams and provided full security and it will continue the same but Sindh must be achieve the status of Polio free province by 2015. The Chief Minister Sindh said that through good coverage is being achieved during the anti polio days but the lakness at Transit Points was the main cause for not attending the children while they were not in their homes but in travil. He asked the officers concerned to increase the number of PTCP at entry points of the province, railway stations, airports, bus stops, highways, meter ways and ensure that each travelling child having age up to 5 year is vaccinated.
The Chief Minister directed the Health management to replace the T.H.O having bad performance in Polio eradication campaign with honest and dedicated officers. MNA and Chairperson over sight committee Madam Azrah Fazul Pechuhu, while talking in the meeting recommended for providing 3000 police personals permanently to provide security to the visiting polio teams and replacement of the officers having bad performances in polio eradication campaign with honest and dedicated officers. She said that establishment of permanent PTCPs at transits point with logistic support has been became unavoidable. In addition to that the PTCPs at Parks and other public places have also being planned. The Provincial Focal person Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh while briefing the meeting said that of 99 polio cases in Pakistan Sindh has 9 case, 8 at Karachi and one at Sanghar. He said that out of these 8 cases in Karachi, 4 are from Gadap Town. He said that high population movement in Sindh specifically to Karachi from different areas of Pakistan was the main cause for spreading this fatal disease. He said that during the June 2014 as many as 905624 children were vaccinated at by 66 PTCPs in the province including 470410 at Karachi. However there is need to increase the number PTCPs.