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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Kandahar operation 'to take time'

General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, has warned against expecting rapid results from the planned offensive against the Taliban in the southern city of Kandahar. The military and political efforts against the Taliban around Kandahar, Afghanistan's second largest city, are the next step in the US-led strategy to end a war now in its ninth year. "I do think it will happen more slowly than we had originally anticipated ... I think it is more important we get it right than we get it fast," McChrystal said. However, his comment seems to contradict other recent statements made by US leaders on operations in Afghanistan.

Concert Draws Nearly 8.5 Mln Viewers in S. Africa

The World Cup opening concert in Soweto attracted nearly 8.5 million television viewers in South Africa, the highest for an entertainment event in recent history, a survey showed on Friday. Thousands of people rocked Orlando Stadium in South Africa's biggest township on Thursday, to sing at the first World Cup concert on the eve of the world's most watched sporting event. The concert was broadcast live around the world, and stars included Alicia Keys , Angelique Kidjo and Vusi Mahlasela . Colombian pop star Shakira sang the official World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This time for Africa)" with South African group Freshly Ground. "Data showed that peak viewing for the concert topped out at just under 8.5 million South African viewers, with an average of just over 6.7 million viewers on (national broadcaster) SABC 1 and (private TV station) SuperSport 3 combined," research company Nielsen said in a statement.

Highlights of Sindh budget 2010-11

Following are the highlights of the provincial budget for 2010-11, presented by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in Sindh Assembly here on Friday.

•    Rs 422 billion budget  envisaged Rs 397 billion revenue and an estimated deficit of Rs 25 billion.
•    Estimated revenue receipts from divisible pool under the new NFC Award is 207.3 billion.
•    Current expenditure is Rs 268.3 billion.
•    The Provincial ADP has been set at record Rs 115 billion against the current year’s allocation of Rs 75 billion, showing an increase of 53 percent.
•    Stamp Duty on Conveyance Deed reduced from 3% to 2% and registration fee reduced from 1 % to 0.5% to expand the net and facilitate greater documentation. 
•    Capital value tax (CVT) has been reduced from 4 % to 2 % for residential and 2.5 % for commercial immoveable property.
•    The exemption limit of annual value for assessment of
Property Tax in respect of properties owned by widows, minor orphans, permanently disabled persons has been enhanced from the existing limit of Rs 24,000 to Rs. 48,000. 
•    The shares of Local Governments have been worked out to be
Rs 120.8 bln (including Rs 33.2 billion of District Support Grant) on the basis of 2007 NFC Award and it reflects an increase of 20% over budget 2009-10. 
•    50 percent Adhoc Relief of basic pay in the pay of government employees, 100% increase in the medical allowance of employees in grade 1 to 15, and 15% of initial basic pay as medical allowance for employees in BS- 16 to 22, in line with the Federal Government’s announcement. 
•    Time Scale to the teachers along with qualification allowance. 
•    Rs 60 billion for education.
•    Rs 29.6 billion for police.
•    Rs 16.9 billion for health.
•    Rs 13 billion for roads.
•    Rs 10 billion for coal and energy development.
•    Rs 10.5 billion for irrigation and drainage.
•    Rs 3.7 billion for drinking water and sanitation.
•    Rs 16 billion for Karachi development.
•    Rs 3.8 billion for Hyderabad development.
•    Rs 871 million for Lyari development.
•    Industrial estates to be set up near gas fields and hydel projects.
•    Rs 200 million for jail reforms.