Centre trims share of Sindh in GDS

Without giving any justification and mentioning formula, Islamabad has reduced province’s share, official confirmed and informed that provincial government approached the concerned authorities of federal government and sought the clarification regarding the formula.

The Sindh government argued that the price of gas has increased to unprecedented level but reduction in province’s share was unjustified and injustice with the people of Sindh, official remarked. Sindh government has received at least Rs8 billion less on account of Gas Development Surcharge in last financial year, official said and showed concerns that the deficit may further widen in current fiscal.

Meanwhile, Qaisar Bangali who has been nominated as non-official member of Sindh in recently notified National Finance Commission while talking to The Nation said the distribution of GDS was also a contentious issue between the federal government and provinces. He said the all the contentious issues would be taken up in NFC as with consultation of provincial finance department he was preparing a comprehensive case of Sindh.

Keeping in view international practices of distribution of wealth among the provinces, the multi factors criteria should be based for resources distribution among federating units of Pakistan, Bangali observed.