‘5,700 new development schemes to be prioritised in budget’

Sindh Energy and Planning & Development Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Thursday said that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is their institution that would take steps on a solid basis for the improvement of other institutions and the stability of the country.

Shah said the tourism institution would remain with the provincial government. “This institution will take measures with the collaboration and mutual support of the Sindh government.” The Sindh chief minister held a meeting with the SIFC, during which the assurance was made that all the steps would be taken in coordination with the provincial government. Shah said the SIFC would take the Sindh government into confidence and take every step after mutual consent.

He said the Sindh government would have the authority to decide the final steps regarding the SIFC. He added that there are many rumours and reports of concerns about the institution, which have no truth, and only speculations.

He stressed that the Sindh government and the SIFC are working together for the best of the country. He was talking to the media at the provincial assembly, along with senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Punjab chapter.

Shah said work on 5,700 development schemes is under way in Sindh. He said that in the upcoming budget priority would be given to all the new schemes. Responding to a question, he said Pakistani students are stuck in Kyrgyzstan, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has to take steps to bring them back.

He added that just as the federal government has played a key role in this regard, the provincial government is also playing its full role and is engaged in practical measures. He also said they are arranging a special flight to bring the children back to their homeland, and all the expenses of which would be borne by the provincial government.

The minister said that all the water projects would be completed on a priority basis in accordance with the PPP chief’s directives, and considering the difficulties and sufferings of the people.

He said if the federal government had been the PPP’s, they would have provided free electricity up to 300 units to all electricity consumers in the country, as promised in the party’s manifesto.

“Since our government is in Sindh currently, in the first phase we’re taking steps to provide 100 units of free electricity to the people of Sindh. Gradually, free electricity will be provided to those who use up to 300 units.”

Replying to another question, he said he would popularise the use of solar energy in the province. He said he considers taxation on solar energy a complete injustice with the people, adding that discussions with the federal government in this regard are under way.

He also said the Sindh government is providing electricity to the national grid by generating cheaper electricity than other provinces. The need of the hour is to set up more and more solar parks to meet the energy requirements, he added.