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Murad Ali Shah

Sindh presents tax-free budget for 2026-27

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Sindh presents

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday presented the province’s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, announcing a 7% increase in salaries and pensions for government employees, raising the minimum monthly wage to Rs43,000 and introducing a range of development and social welfare initiatives.

Presenting the budget in the Sindh Assembly, Shah said the government would merge the ad hoc relief allowances granted in 2022 and 2025 into employees’ pay scales. He also announced that the minimum wage would be increased from Rs40,000 to Rs43,000 per month.

The chief minister said no new taxes had been imposed in the budget, which aims to provide relief to citizens and the business community. The government also decided not to introduce any new development schemes in the upcoming fiscal year, while proposing Rs2.56 trillion for non-development expenditures.

Education remained a key priority, with Rs601 billion allocated to the sector. The government also reduced sales tax on educational support services to 5%.

Shah announced plans to establish the Sindh International Financial Center in Karachi, describing it as a platform for infrastructure financing, Islamic finance and climate finance.

He said Sindh had agreed to arrangements worth Rs260 billion under Article 160 of the Constitution in support of national stability while safeguarding the province’s constitutional rights and development priorities under the NFC Award.

The budget also introduced a subsidized solar financing program for middle-income households. Shah said Rs18 billion would be spent to distribute 275,000 free solar home systems, adding that free solar units had already been provided to low-income families.

Among other initiatives, the chief minister announced the launch of the Sindh Green Data Infrastructure Initiative and a waste-to-value program aimed at converting waste into fuel and commercial products.

The government also plans special legislation to support small farmers by improving access to machinery, financing, insurance and modern technology.

In the health sector, Shah said services at major institutions, including National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre would be expanded. He added that the 1123 telemedicine service and 1122 ambulance network would be further strengthened.

Shah highlighted the completion of the Rs60.7 billion Shahrah-e-Bhutto project, describing it as a major public convenience initiative.

He also reiterated plans to transform Keti Bandar into a global maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub linked to the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone and Thar coal resources, with the goal of making it Pakistan’s next major economic gateway.

Sindh govt orders freeze on school van fares

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Sindh govt

KARACHI: Following instructions from Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government has issued an official directive prohibiting any increase in school van fares.

According to the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, the government has circulated a notice to all public and private schools, instructing them to maintain current pick-and-drop transport charges for students.

The spokesperson added that transport operators will be provided with support and facilitation by the Sindh government to ensure compliance without disrupting services. All educational institutions have been directed to fully implement the orders.

Furthermore, schools are required to provide comprehensive data on their student transportation services. The government has warned that any violation of these instructions will result in legal action.

Sindh CM writes to Chief Justice for judicial inquiry into Gul Plaza tragedy

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Sindh CM writes

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has formally written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court requesting a judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza incident.

Earlier, during a press conference in Karachi, senior provincial minister Sharjeel Memon stated that the letter requests the Chief Justice to assign a sitting judge to conduct the investigation.

He emphasized that the decision for a judicial commission was independent of political pressures and that the government is answerable to the public, not any political party.

“Some political parties are trying to politicize the incident, but the Sindh government is not,” Memon said. “We acted on our own responsibility and initiated the judicial inquiry when it was deemed necessary.”

Memon explained that after the tragedy, the Sindh Cabinet had formed a committee, which was tasked with reviewing the report submitted by a committee led by the Commissioner of Karachi. “The Commissioner’s committee report has been received. It is very detailed and includes interviews of all relevant individuals,” he added.

He provided key details about the incident: At the time of the fire, the building housed 2,000–2,500 people. The Gul Plaza building had undergone two safety audits, but their recommendations were not implemented. During the fire, 80 precious lives were lost, and firefighters faced a shortage of water while trying to control the blaze. Memon paid tribute to the brave firefighter who sacrificed his life.

Memon said that all emergency and rescue agencies will now operate under a unified command. “The building lacked proper fire-fighting systems and other safety measures.

Even when authorities were informed, they did not act. We are taking steps to integrate the fire brigade, civil defense, and rescue agencies under one command structure,” he explained.

The minister also revealed that the committee identified serious irregularities in the building’s lease and construction approvals.

The Anti-Corruption Department has been directed to investigate these lapses. The building’s construction was found in violation of approved plans, and the Building Control Authority’s permits will be thoroughly reviewed. Memon warned that any negligence by senior officials will result in strict action.

Gul Plaza fire report details cause, casualties, and rescue response

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Gul Plaza fire

KARACHI: The Commissioner of Karachi, along with an additional IG-led committee, has finalized the investigation report on the Gul Plaza fire incident. The report is expected to be presented to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah soon.

According to sources, the report includes details on the cause of the fire, firefighting efforts, and rescue operations, as well as information gathered from victims, eyewitnesses, and rescue officials.

The investigation found that the fire originated in a flower shop on the ground floor, reportedly caused by a child’s activity, and spread rapidly via the air-conditioning ducts.

Sources further stated that the tragedy resulted in 79 deaths, with the majority occurring on the mezzanine floor.

The fire reportedly started at 10:15 pm, and the fire brigade received the first alert at 10:26 pm.

The Deputy Commissioner South reached the site at 10:30 pm, while the first fire tender arrived at 10:37 pm. Rescue 1122 personnel reached Gul Plaza at 10:53 pm.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Ali Khursheedi expressed dissatisfaction with the inquiry in the Sindh Assembly, calling for a judicial inquiry.

He argued that the current investigation lacks credibility as it is being conducted by officials who should be held accountable.

Khursheedi said, “The officer responsible for accountability is conducting the inquiry. Who will accept this investigation? How can the Commissioner of Karachi investigate the Gul Plaza tragedy? If the PPP believes we are politicizing the matter, a judicial inquiry will settle the issue once and for all.”

Sindh Govt approves reconstruction of fire-hit Gul Plaza

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Sindh Govt

Karachi: The Sindh government has announced plans to rebuild Gul Plaza, which was recently damaged in a fire.

According to sources, the reconstruction will be funded from the provincial budget, and the multi-storey plaza is expected to be completed within one year. Once rebuilt, shops will be allotted to their original owners.

The government has reportedly consulted construction experts to ensure the rebuilding is carried out efficiently.

Meanwhile, to support affected businesses, temporary commercial spaces have been arranged. Three locations have been selected by the Sindh government to accommodate shopkeepers during the reconstruction period.

This initiative aims to restore business activity quickly while ensuring the long-term rebuilding of Gul Plaza.

On the other hand,  Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced that each shop owner affected by the Gul Plaza fire will receive Rs500,000 in the first phase, alongside plans for the complete reconstruction of the plaza.

Delivering a policy statement in the Sindh Assembly, Shah expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which claimed multiple lives and left several people missing.

He confirmed that out of 88 reported missing, 82 were verified, 67 bodies have been recovered, and DNA identification is ongoing for the remaining victims.

The fire, Shah explained, started at 10:14 AM on a ground-floor shop, with the fire brigade called at 10:26 AM. A government representative reached the site 16 minutes later.

The CM emphasized that politics should not be played over such tragedies and that responsible parties will face accountability.

Shah also addressed past administrative issues, stating that the lease of Gul Plaza was approved decades ago and had been renewed over time. He said, “We are still cleaning up the legacy issues from before the Eighteenth Amendment.”

Regarding relief measures, Shah announced:

Rs500,000 compensation to each affected shop owner in the first phase, distributed via the Karachi Chamber of Commerce.

Temporary shops will be provided for two years until reconstruction is completed.

The Sindh government will ensure security for affected traders.

Loans of up to Rs10 million will be available to shop owners, with interest covered by the government.

The CM assured that Gul Plaza would be rebuilt in its original form within two years, with expert consultation to ensure safety and modern compliance standards. Temporary arrangements for shops will be made within two months.

Shah stressed the importance of coordination among government departments, calling for a unified approach to disaster management and highlighting the need for insurance legislation for such incidents in the future.

During the assembly session, members of MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami stood up in protest over certain statements, but the Speaker reminded members to follow house rules.

This announcement follows widespread criticism and concern over the Gul Plaza fire, which has prompted scrutiny of safety measures, emergency response, and long-term urban planning in Karachi.

Four injured as blast derails Jaffar Express near Shikarpur

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Shikarpur

SHIKARPUR:  Four coaches of the Jaffar Express derailed near Sultan Kot village in Shikarpur on Tuesday following an explosion on the railway track.

According to police, four passengers were injured in the incident and shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

A bomb disposal squad has been called to the site to determine the nature of the explosion and collect evidence from the damaged section of the track.

Police say the railway operation has been temporarily suspended after the blast, while arrangements are being made to send passengers by buses.

According to the DS Railway, repair of the affected track has been started and the track repair can take 8 to 10 hours, but there is no train on the track before 5pm.

On the other hand, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has sought a detailed report from the SSP Shikarpur following the explosion on a railway track that caused coaches of the Jaffar Express to derail.

The home minister directed authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and ensure that the terrorists responsible for damaging the railway track are brought to justice at the earliest.

Lanjar emphasized the need to trace the culprits through concrete evidence and thorough investigation and instructed officials to keep him informed of all developments related to the probe.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah strongly condemned the explosion on the railway track near Kot Sultan that caused several coaches of the Jaffar Express to derail.

According to a spokesperson, the chief minister has sought a detailed report from the Inspector General of Police regarding the incident.

He also directed the Commissioner of Larkana to ensure that the injured passengers receive the best possible medical treatment.

Murad Ali Shah further instructed authorities to dispatch rescue teams immediately to provide timely assistance to the affected passengers.

The police and bomb disposal squad are present at the site and are investigating the nature of the blast, the Sindh police chief confirmed.