CM Sindh says his govt had banned purchase of vehicles during Covid-19 emergency.

KARACHI -- Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday told Sindh Assembly that his government has banned the purchase of vehicles during Covid-19 emergency and any operational vehicle which has to be purchased will need cabinet approval.

Comparing the last four years expenditure of Sindh government with other provincial governments and the federal government on the purchase of vehicles, the chief minister said that during the last four years, 2016-17 to 2018-19, his government purchased vehicles worth Rs7.2 billion while the Punjab government spent Rs16.15 billion on the purchase of vehicles, Balochistan spent Rs7.8 billion, KPK Rs5.2 billion and the federal government Rs23.01 billion. 'Despite the fact the Sindh government was under criticism,' he expressed surprise.

Sharing year-wise expenditures incurred on the purchase of vehicles, the Chief Minister said that in 2018-19, the Sindh government purchased vehicles of Rs330.5 million, Punjab Rs1447.6 million vehicles, Balochistan Rs1878.2 million, KPK Rs1361.3 million and the federal government Rs 5,501 million.

In 2019-20, the Sindh spent Rs438.5 million on purchase of vehicles, Punjab utilized Rs3416.8 million, Balochistan Rs2533.9 million, KPK 2093.2 million and the federal government 4517.2 million. As a matter of fact, In 2019-20, Sindh has Rs3625 million budget estimates for purchase of vehicles, Punjab has Rs1700 million, Balochistan Rs4800 million and KPK Rs192.4 million.

He said that the PTI government had filed wrong figures in the Supreme Court, therefore, he would submit a detailed expenditures list of his government and the governments of other provinces and the federal government incurred on the purchase of vehicles. He added that the Sindh government had imposed a ban on the purchase of new vehicles for which notification had been issued on June 24, 2020.

Shah mocking the opposition in the provincial assembly said he was thankful to the opposition for reposing their confidence in the budget 2020-21 because they did not submit a single cut motion. He added that instead of participating in the budgetary process they preferred to remind them of the days of their dharna on the container and make hooliganism and disturbed the house.

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