RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday said that secrecy and confidentiality maintained during the recent census made it more dubious because all stakeholders now have serious doubts over the credibility of the census data as the entire process has been carried out in a secretive manner.

“At the commencement of the census, I approached the Ministry of Statistics headed by Ishaq Dar and advised them to publicize the data by sharing a copy of all the details at least with heads of families who were providing information about the number of family members but we were told that it was a highly confidential data and if we have any issue, a complaint should formally be lodged with the concerned department,” he said speaking at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) where he paid a visit. He was accompanied by Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Minister for Planning & Development Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Minister for Excise & Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Minister for Local Government Jam Khan Shoro and Minister for Transport & Mass Transit, Labour, Human Resources and Information Nasir Hussain Shah. Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and ex-president KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, vice chairmen BMG former presidents KCCI Zubair Motiwala and Anjum Nisar, incumbent president of the KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, and others were also present.

Referring to the infrastructure issues raised by the Karachi Chamber, Shah said that Rs10 billion were allocated last year for the development of Karachi, of which Rs7.5 billion were utilized in different projects which included revamping of Shaarey Faisal and reconstruction of the Tariq Road and the University Road, construction of underpass at the Drig Road and many other projects which have either been successfully completed or were near to completion.

He said that the local government was also given Rs8 billion for development work but no major project has been completed by them. “We want to work in association with the local government but they must deliver,” he emphasized.

Teli pointed out that the Federal government, instead of enhancing tax collection through direct taxes, raised the number of indirect taxes and allowed FBR to twist arms of loyal taxpayers, which has resulted in plunging the economy into deep crisis.

Referring to imposition of 14 percent Services Sales Tax (SST) which was later reduced to 3 percent, Teli opined that the rate of SST was not an issue but the real issue was its applicability as many stakeholders believe that this tax should not have been implemented on their businesses.

He lamented that living conditions in Karachi have become miserable due to dilapidated roads, unattended trash, broken sewerage lines and severe traffic jams. He said ordinary people are totally confused over the distribution of powers pertaining to civic issues between the Sindh government and city government.

“People see Karachi Mayor excusing that he is unable to carry out development work because of limited powers and funds. Hence, the Sindh government should publicize the breakup of all the development work falling under the domain of Sindh government and the city government in order to clarify all types of confusions about their working, Teli proposed.

He demanded that the next general election should only take place after completion of proper demarcation based on the recent census. He was of the opinion that the Election Commission of Pakistan must strictly verify the recent census data and accordingly carry out the demarcation whereas the voting for elections should only take place electronically through biometric voting system.

Zubair Motiwala pointed out that hardly 10 percent industries were operating in the industrial zones of the Port Qasim, Super Highway, North Karachi and Nooriabad due to unavailability of basic inputs including electricity, gas and water which, if provided, would result in rapid industrialization a and create at least 150,000 employment opportunities.

He further said that funds being collected in the name of Property Tax usually go to the District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) for development works but this was not being done in SITE as this particular area was of different nature where no DMC exists therefore, some other system should be devised for this area to transfer funds collected under Property Tax so that these funds could be utilized on several development projects.

“It is highly unfair to take huge amount of Property Tax from SITE Area and not investing a single rupee on the development of the area,” he said.

Earlier, KCCI president Shamim Ahmed Firpo, in his welcome remarks, said that the Karachi Chamber fully supports Sindh government’s objections to the results of the latest census as the population of Karachi was actually much more and a review should be carried out to ascertain the facts.