Sindh, Balochistan refuse to contribute in Ehsaas Rashan programme, won't get subsidy: Pakistan govt

“Sindh and Balochistan have refused to contribute to the programme after which people of both provinces will get only Rs 350 subsidy (federal government share), and not the total subsidy of Rs 1,000,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar told Dawn.

According to Ehsaas Rashan subsidy programme, three consumerable items -- pulses, flour and edible oil/ghee -- will be given to registered persons at subsised rates at utility stores, super stores and other designated general stores.

The refusal to share the subsidy programme by the Balochistan government has come as a shock to Imran Khan-led government as the ruling Balochistan Awami Party and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf are coalition partners in Balochistan.

Balochistan’s refusal to share the subsidy programme is said to be quite shocking for the federal government which is facing ‘lack of confidence’ of its allies and the opposition’s threats to topple it owing to its ‘faulty economic policies’, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, Sindh is ruled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is one of the main opposition parties.

Sindh government’s spokesman Saeed Ghani, said, “Not sharing in the programme might have been decided by the chief minister and the decision has so far not been conveyed to the lower level."