Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that if the federal government assigns Sindh the responsibility, the province can collect more general sales tax (GST) than the set target.
Addressing a ceremony marking the inauguration of a new OPD block equipped with modern technology at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi, he thanked the NICVD team, saying they had upheld free world-class standards and earned global recognition for Pakistan.
Bilawal said critics often raise objections regarding the 18th Amendment and financial resources, yet they ignore the success of institutions such as NICVD, JPMC and the National Institute of Health.
He said that the PPP, in line with its manifesto, is providing modern and free healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps.
He stated that some federal ministers, citing the country’s financial crisis, want to undo the resources and powers granted to provinces after the 18th Amendment. “These challenges and crises belong to all of us, and we must face them together,” he said.
The PPP chairman offered that if the Centre entrusts them with responsibilities, they will fulfil them. “People living in the provinces are patriotic Pakistanis who want to contribute more and have the capability to do so,” he said.
Bilawal noted that sales tax on services was previously collected by the FBR, but after the 18th Amendment, it became a provincial responsibility. “Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa broke all FBR records,” he added.
He said that the PPP is ready to collect other taxes for the federation as well. “I have already offered that if the government allows us to collect General Sales Tax and gives us a target, we will achieve it and hand over all the money to the Centre. And if we fail to meet the target, we will give up our own share too, so the federal challenges can be reduced.”
Bilawal said that if Sindh collects more than the GST target, the additional revenue would be spent on the people of the province.
He said that if there is a crisis, it means the federal institutions have not fulfilled their responsibilities. “After provincial autonomy, we have played our part and want to lessen the Centre’s difficulties.”
He said the PPP, in line with its manifesto, is ensuring that free and quality healthcare reaches people at their doorsteps, with NICVD playing a major role—now the world’s largest free cardiac treatment network.
Bilawal added that the performance of NICVD is a clear answer to those who consider the 18th Amendment or financial decentralisation a mistake. “We have achieved success with the help of public-private partnerships,” he said.
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