KARACHI: Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah Friday presented a Rs4.22 trillion budget with a deficit of Rs25 bn for the province that envisages 53 percent in its annual development program.

Sindh province is increasing Development Budget for facilitating greater economic activity, said the CM in his budget speech in the Sindh assembly.

Total budget size of the government expenses for the fiscal year 2010-11 is Rs4.22 trillion as against total revenue of Rs 397 billion with a deficit of Rs 25 billion.

We are increasing the provincial ADP to Rs115 billion against the current year’’s allocation of Rs75 billion with an increase of 53percent, he said.

The total size of our development portfolio adds to Rs 135 billion as under: Provincial ADP Rs115 billion, Federal PSDP Grants Rs14.4 billion, Foreign Project Assistance RS 4.2 billion and DERA/ SCIP Rs 1.5 billion.

District Development portfolio has been estimated at Rs 18 billion.

Total budget size of the government expenses for the fiscal year 2010-11 is Rs422 billion as against total revenue of Rs 397 billion with a deficit of Rs 25 billion.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah said this deficit is 6 percent of the total budget of Sindh and hopefully we should be able to finance this through following measures: Improving our revenue collection; mobilizing additional resources; containing current expenditures through ban on wasteful expenditures, especially vehicles and discouraging unnecessary foreign visits, etc.

We also expect to resolve the issue of SCARP CDLs. Here we have overpaid an amount of Rs22 billion to the government of Pakistan and we plan to take issue with federal government again, said Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

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Islamabad

Having the lowest forest cover even in South Asia is definitely a matter of grave concern but simply regretting this harsh ground rea

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JOHANNESBURG: Hosts South Africa almost got a dream start to their World Cup finals campaign on Friday before being held to a 1-1 draw by Mexico in the opening match after Barcelona midfielder Rafael Marquez struck with a late equaliser for the Mexicans.
South Africa had looked to be on course for a surprise win thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’’s superb 55th minute strike but it was cancelled out by Marquez.
The hosts, though, went agonisingly close to regaining the lead in the Group A clash and taking the three points right at the death when striker Katlego Mphela hit the post after outpacing two defenders.
After a nervy opening half in front of 84,490 fans at Soccer City, South Africa finally found their rhythm to take the lead as Mexico failed to make their first-half domination count.
The Bafana Bafana were lucky to go into the half-time break at 0-0 after Mexico dominated the opening 45 minutes, but Carlos Vela’’s 38th minute effort was ruled offside.
South Africa had a let off after just four minutes when Mexico captain Gerardo Torrado whipped in a cross which goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled into the path of Giovani Dos Santos, but his shot was blocked.
Galatasaray’’s Dos Santos was a constant threat in the opening stages as the Mexicans attacked relentlessly.
Mexican midfielder Efrain Juarez was shown the tournament’’s first yellow card on 18 minutes, but South African play-maker Steven Pienaar sent the free-kick sailing over the crossbar.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was then shown a yellow card for the hosts after fouling Dos Santos on 27 minutes, but Marquez fired the free-kick high.
After the break, a perfectly-timed through ball from Pienaar split the Mexican defence and put Tshabalala into acres of space for the Kaizer Chiefs” star to slam home his shot giving Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez no chance.
With 20 minutes left, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made some changes to push his side forward and they were rewarded with Marquez’’s goal.
Marquez was left unmarked at the far post and he wasted no time in drilling his shot past Khune.
South Africa now face Uruguay in Pretoria on June 16, while Mexico take on France in Polokwane on June 17.
France and Uruguay meet each other later on Friday in Cape Town.

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TASHKANT: President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese President Hu Jintao had a bilateral meeting here on Thursday and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The two leaders, who met here on the sidelines of the 10th Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), had a frank exchange of views on various issues of mutual interest including the bilateral relations, situation in the region and matters of international importance. The two Presidents agreed to further deepen and strengthen their already existing multifaceted relations and cooperation in various fields for the mutual benefit of two countries.

During the meeting which was held in a very cordial atmosphere, there was unanimity of views on various issues of regional and international importance, with particular reference to the peace and stability of region.

The two Presidents agreed to step up cooperation in establishing peace and fighting terrorism in the region.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also held a meeting today in which they agreed to consolidate cooperation to root out militancy and terrorism from the region.

The two leaders who met here Thursday night on the sidelines of the 10th Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), exchanged views on the matters relating to bilateral ties, situation in the region as well as the matters of international importance. Russian President supported the inclusion of Pakistan in SCO since Pakistan is an important country in the fight against terrorism and militancy.

The two Presidents discussed bilateral relations, anti-terror cooperation and drug control. The Russian President supported Pakistan?s candidacy for membership of SCO.

Both Presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in bilateral relations to strengthen the efforts to dismantle the networks of terrorism across SCO region.

President Zardari invited the Russian President to visit Pakistan, which he accepted. President Zardari will also be visiting Moscow next month.

The two presidents expressed satisfaction over the current level of bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Russia and hoped the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields will gain further strength.

President Zardari, who arrived here on Thursday will address the summit Friday.
The member countries of SCO include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan, India and Mangolia are observer countries.

The summit will also discuss giving permanent membership to observer countries.
The SCO, over the years has assumed significance as it seeks to promote peace and stability in the region besides combating terrorism, extremism and organized crime.

The Organisation has also been able to further expand its mandate to include economic and cultural cooperation. It has also extended its outreach to include observers and dialogue partners.

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KARACHI: Pakistan?s consumer price index (CPI), the key indicator of inflation, is likely to rise by 13.45 per cent year-on-year in May because of an

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LAHORE

AN ACCOUNTABILITY court on Wednesday extended physical remand of former President Bank of Punjab Hamesh Khan for 14 days to National Ac

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ISLAMABAD: The government has informed Supreme Court that D.G FIA Tariq Khosa could not head the NAB investigations as he is serving as secretary Anti Narcotics whereas court has constitute a four-member committee for the appointment of new investigation officer,

The Establishment Division Friday submitted a letter in the court in which, the court was informed that former D.G. FIA Tariq Khosa could not head the NAB probe as he is holding responsibilities in the Anti Narcotics ministry.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in his remarks said system will work without interruption.

A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry with Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday and Justice Ghulam Rabbani hearing the case of Punjab Bank scam.

The court in its previous hearing had issued orders for nominating Tariq Khosa as head of the case investigations. The Establishment Division in its reply today informed the court that Tariq Khosa was working in the Ministry of Anti Narcotics so as he could not head the investigation team of the case.

The court was informed that the names of three officials have been proposed to head the probe including CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed, Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Fayyaz Ahmed and Additional I.G. Lahore Aftab Sultan.

Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday in his remarks said the court has authority to nominate an investigation officer. The hearing of the case later adjourned till June 16.

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Karachi

In the sweltering summer heat, three members of a family refuse to break their 28 day hunger strike outside the Karachi Press Club and

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LAHORE

PUNJAB Minister for Population Welfare Neelam Jabbar Chaudhry has said that, in order to provide better reproductive health services to

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Pakistan News

KARACHI: Parliamentary leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Syed Sardar Ahmed Friday said that his party was taken into confidence over the preparation of Sindh Budget 2010-11.

Talking to Geo News by phone Syed Sardar Ahmed said MQM will oppose collection of tax on services by the Federation instead of the province which, he said, is in violation of the Constitution.

He said Sindh has been fighting with the Federation for its legitimate rights for the past decade.

Syed Sardar Ahmed noted that the senior Grade officials will be benefited more with 50 raise in salaries of the government employees. MQM has proposed raise in salaries in accordance with Grade, he added.

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