Provinces agree on a formula for division of resources

All four provinces have unanimously agreed on a combined formula for the division of resources on the third day of NFC meeting after long discussions. The meeting decided to spend 82% Central resources according to population. Individual sessions of the technical committees of all four provinces held in the Chief Ministers house, in which they gave final recommendations of their respective provinces. The distribution of resources on the basis of poverty is 10%, area 2%, and 7% and 5% on the generation and collection of revenue respectively. The recommendations would be forwarded to the president after finalizing them.Media briefing:Shaukat TareenTalking to media after the meeting, Federal Minster for Finance Mr Shaukat Tareen said that the federal government has increased the revenue and reduced the expenses. Tareen lauded the role of all 4 four provinces in sacrificing their share for the welfare of Balochistan. He also revealed that according to the new formula 56% resources have been reserved for the provinces: 24.55% for Sindh, 14.62% to NWFP and 9.9% to Balochistan.; he also stated that the provinces would now collect sales tax on their own. CM BalochistanCM Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani said that we must help democracy flourish, and all resources must be spent on the development of Pakistan and the welfare of its people. He also stated that Shahbaz Sharif has sacrificed to strengthen Pakistan. He also said that if anything happens to Pakistan, the coming generations would never forgive us. He was determined to carry on efforts for the collection of resources of resources so that the country progresses. He thanked the CMs of all the provinces to help Balochistan. CM Sindh CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah said that this award began in the reign of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He said that this is the first government that is elected on pure merit, and they have taken care of the needs of the people. There could not be a unanimous agreement in the time of Musharraf because the political representatives were not elected, and all four CMs had fought over the issue. He thanked all provinces on their magnanimity and support. CM NWFPCM NWFP Amir Haider Hoti said that Pakistan would be strong only if the provinces stay united. Balochistans problem is our problem, and by cutting our expenses to support Balochistan we have ensured everyone of our cooperation and support. CM PunjabCM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif congratulated everyone on having agreed on the unanimous formula, and hoped that this will strengthen the nation and will help in overcoming the insecurities deprivations of all provinces.