KARACHI, Dec 16: The Sindh government decided on Tuesday to approach and urge the federal government to restore to the provinces the authority to collect sales tax on services.

This decision was taken at a cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, here on Tuesday.

After the meeting, briefing media persons on the cabinet decisions, Information Minister Shazia Marri said progress had been made in the investigation of the Oct 18 Karsaz tragedy, but she declined to share any details in this regard.

She said the culprits would be exposed as they were the sinners not only of the Pakistan People’s Party and the late Benazir Bhutto, but also of the entire nation.

Recalling the background of the demand for returning the sales tax collection rights to the provinces, she said that under the constitution the collection of sales tax was a provincial subject, but in 2001-02 the power of tax collection was taken from the provinces through an ordinance.

She said the last meeting of the provincial finance ministers held in Lahore had adopted a resolution unanimously recommending to the federal government to restore the powers of collection of the sale tax to the provinces.

The minister said the decisions taken by the government for the removal of barricades erected in various localities, registration of licensed weapons and surrender of illegal arms were aimed at improving the law and order situation.

Ms Marri said as there were large numbers of weapons with individuals and groups, the notice period for registration of licences had been extended because not only the provincial government but the federal government had also issued such licences. As such the matter was being discussed at the federal level. However, she promised to share the details of weapons in the province with the media on the completion of the process.

She said that arms licences were being registered by people at their respective police stations to keep police officers aware of the kind of weapons people had in the locality.

About the removal of barricades, the minister said before launching any operation it was being inquired from the area SHO and UC nazims whether these barricades were erected with the permission of the relevant authority and if there was any justification for them.