Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Finance Mohammad Aurangzeb have joined forces to attract foreign investment and enhance exports, aiming to bolster the financial stability of both the province and the country.
Their commitment emerged during a meeting at CM House on Saturday, attended by PSCM Agha Wasif, Additional Secretary Ministry of Finance AmjadMahmood, and Provincial Secretary Finance FayazJatoi. Chief Minister Shah expressed concerns over illegal at-source deductions by the FBR and other federal entities, highlighting recent deductions totaling Rs13.4 billion.
He emphasized the need for transparent communication to address outstanding bills rather than resorting to deductions. Furthermore, Shah raised issues regarding deductions related to vehicle registrations and pledged to resolve these discrepancies.
Federal Finance Minister Aurangzeb assured the chief minister of an amicable resolution to the at-source deduction issue and emphasized the importance of fostering professional relationships between federal and provincial organizations for collective growth.
Both officials discussed the price escalation of industrial gas and agreed to address concerns raised by industrialists, aiming to find a solution in collaboration with the federal minister for petroleum. They also deliberated on the absence of new schemes for Sindh in the federal PSDP, agreeing to engage with the federal minister for planning & development to address this issue.
Additionally, they pledged to collaborate on modernizing the agriculture sector to cultivate export-quality crops, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, aiming to boost foreign exchange earnings. CM Shah outlined efforts to introduce new technologies and ensure the availability of certified seeds in the market.
Regarding the reconstruction of flood-devastated infrastructure, CM Shah highlighted ongoing efforts while expressing concerns over delayed funding from donor agencies.
The two leaders also committed to simplifying and automating investment procedures to attract foreign investment across various sectors.
Aurangzeb commended Sindh’s effective Public-Private Partnership unit, acknowledging its positive impact on public-private collaborations. The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation, with the CM thanking the federal minister for his support and collaboration.
