Sindh reviews property tax collection with World Bank delegation

Sindh Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah chaired a meeting with a World Bank delegation to review property tax collection on immovable property and measures aimed at strengthening local councils financially.

The meeting was attended by Planning and Development Chairman Najam Ahmed Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government and Housing Waseem Shamshad, Project Director Ayesha Hameed, Director UIPT Murtaza Agha and other officials.

Ayesha Hameed and Murtaza Agha briefed participants on the province’s property tax collection system.

Shah said collecting property tax at the town level was aimed at making local councils financially self-reliant.

He said strengthening elected local government representatives at the grassroots level would help improve the delivery of public services.

The minister said funds generated through property tax would be subject to special monitoring to ensure that money collected from citizens was spent fairly and transparently.

He said the revenue would be used to improve streets, roads, streetlights and other basic infrastructure in the respective areas.

Shah said towns across the province would be encouraged to compete in providing better services to residents.

He announced that towns showing outstanding performance would receive special development grants, with awards for the first, second and third positions.

The minister said town officials delivering improved public services would be encouraged, while officials with poor performance records could be removed from their positions.

He also directed officials to maintain proper records of property tax collections.

Shah said improving the delivery of services at people's doorsteps was part of the Sindh government's local governance agenda.

The World Bank delegation appreciated measures being taken by the provincial government to improve public services.

The Sindh government and the World Bank delegation also assured each other of continued cooperation.