‘Money issued to Larkana from PM’s discretionary funds’

[Naveed Yaseen]

Sindh Local Government (LG) Minister Aga Siraj Durrani has refuted reports regarding the provision of LG funds to Larkana. He said that the money was issued from the prime minister’s discretionary funds and the Sindh chief minister and provincial government had nothing to do with it.

Durani was responding to queries regarding the acute shortage of funds being faced by the local governments of Karachi and Hyderabad. He said that the funds had been deducted by the federal government and the provincial government was also facing a financial crunch.

“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is our coalition partner and they can only get the Home, Local Government, Finance and Planning & Development portfolios if they are in a majority,” Durrani said. He recalled that the coalition partner had launched a media campaign for these departments but during a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari they only complained of deduction of funds — an issue which pertains to the federal government.

The minister said he would not allow anything illegal in the local government and hastily added that the MQM could put up their demands within the legal framework.

PPP coalition partners (the MQM) “continue to appoint corrupt people.” He quoted the example of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) managing director.

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