PAC demands centre to transfer120 billion Workers’ Welfare Fund collected by FBR to Sindh.
Imran
KARACHI:
The Public Accounts Committee of Sindh Assembly (PAC) has decided to take up the issue of 120 billion workers welfare fund (WWF) collected by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from industrial establishments operating and trans-provincial entities in Sindh with the federal government.PAC raised concerns over the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) withholding Sindh’s share of the fund, which was collected from major trans -provincial entities, including Engro, Sui Southern Gas Company, and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).
The PAC meeting, chaired by PAC chairman Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, was held on Thursday in the Sindh Assembly Committee Room. Committee members, including Makhdoom Fakhar Zaman, Sindh Labour department Secretary Rafique Qureshi, and other relevant officials, attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed audit paras related to the labour department from 2018 to 2020.
During the meeting, PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro questioned the labour department on the progress of Sindh’s share of billion rupees of WWF which was collected by FBR. In response, Sindh Labour Secretary Rafique Qureshi informed the committee that FBR had collected Rs 120 billion from industrial establishments ,trans-provincial entities but had not yet transferred these funds to the Sindh government.
Additionally, 25 billion rupees was deposited in the High Court by some industries, but the court directed that the amount be handed over to FBR until the matter is decided by the Council of Common Interest (CCI).
Expressing serious concerns, Nisar Khuhro criticized FBR for withholding Sindh’s rightful share, calling it an injustice to the Sindh province. He emphasized that, following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the authority to collect and mamage the WWF lies with the provincial government. He accused the federal government of violating the Constitution by collecting the WWF through FBR and failing to transfer Sindh’s share.
Khuhro urged the Prime Minister to take notice of the issue and ensure the immediate release of 120 billion to Sindh. He reiterated that Sindh would not compromise on its constitutional rights and would continue to demand its due share.
The PAC also decided to send an official letter to the Chairman FBR and the federal government regarding the issue and summon FBR officials for briefing in this regard.
Additionally, Khuhro highlighted that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Workers’ Welfare Board has yet to be fully transferred to the provincial government, Sindh has already established its own workers welfare board. However, despite this, the funds collected by FBR have not been transferred to Sindh.
He stressed that the withheld amount is meant for the welfare and well-being of Sindh’s workers.
The PAC reaffirmed its stance that Sindh must recieve its due share and pledged to escalate the matter at all relevant forums, including the federal government and CCI./
