HYDERABAD, June 9: The executive committee, Sindh National Council, at a meeting held at the Mehri House, Qasimabad, on Monday termed the federal budget a jugglery of statistics and a “monument of false promises”.

The meeting observed that it was a record deficit budget and obviously the deficit would be met by printing more notes, which would increase inflation.

The executive committee of the SNC was critical of the increase in the defence budget. It urged the rulers to learn a lesson from Japan and Germany and allocate more funds for scientific and technical education and the social sector.

It reiterated that allocations of huge funds for the construction of the Thal canal was violation of the Constitution and against the vital interests of Pakistan as it had not been approved under the 1991 Accord, it had been rejected by the Sindh Assembly and even the World Bank. Besides, other loan-giving agencies had refused to provide funds for the controversial project.

It called upon President Gen Pervez Musharraf to give up both posts of President and Chief of Army Staff in the larger interest of the country.

It deplored concessions on the import of luxury vehicles instead of exempting small cars from excise duty and sales tax.

The meeting was attended by Hussain Bux Thebo, Dr Dodo Mehri, Dr Rahim Solangi, Punhal Sario and Chacha Mohammad Leghari.

SINDH WATER COMMITTEE: The Sindh Water Committee at its meeting held here on Monday, under the chairmanship of Rasool Bux Palijo, resolved to continue its struggle against the construction of the greater Thal canal unless a public announcement was made about shelving the project forever.