Punjab CM slams opposition for politicising budget

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Energy Dr Akhtar Malik called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office here on Monday and appreciated relief-oriented steps in the Punjab budget.

The chief minister said the budget manifested people’s aspirations and the government had tried to facilitate the citizens within resources, says a handout. He said steps had been taken to curtail unnecessary expenditures and people’s needs were prioritised in the development programme.

"A separate development programme has been introduced for southern Punjab", he added. Usman Buzdar said the opposition was trying to politicise the public-friendly budget for the sake of criticism, adding that the opposition had disappointed people on every occasion but it could not deceive them.

"Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) should discontinue its anti-development politics as its meetings have remained fruitless", the CM added. MPAs from Gujrat called on the CM and extended felicitation to him for presenting a public-friendly budget. The CM said that anarchistic politics could not prevail in the country as such elements were following the enemy’s agenda. The opposition was frustrated and it could not fool the people, he said and emphasised that Pakistan had moved forward toward development under the leadership of PM Imran Khan. The chief minister mentioned that the Pakistan Muslim League-Q was an ally and relations with the allies were stronger than before.

There was the best relationship with the allied party and the government was taking it along in the decision-making process, he emphasised. The CM said the government was working hard for the solution of public problems and his doors were open to all.

"There was a one-man show in the past but I take everybody along and decisions are made with mutual consultation," the CM added. Those MPAs who called on CM included Chaudhry Liaqat Ali, Saleem Sarwar Jora, Mian Muhammad Akhtar Hayat and Muhammad Arshad Chaudhry. They said that the provincial budget was an important document for ensuring composite development at the grassroots and the district development package would start a new era of development.

MPAs Gulraiz Afzal, Muhammad Tariq Tarar and PTI leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also called on the CM to discuss matters of mutual interests. The chief minister said that realistic targets had been identified in the budget according to public needs. It was not a jugglery of words and figures but a document of balanced development vision according to public aspirations, he added.

Similarly, the indigent strata had been given relief and economic indicators were also positive due to the policies of the government, he said. The budget would be easily passed as making hue and cry was the only agenda of the opposition.

It left the people alone in the corona and was disheartened due to a balanced budget, the CM said. Opposition was also opposing economic stability, he said and advised the opposition parties to avoid using the budget for political purposes.

CABINET MEETING: The chief minister will chair the 46th provincial cabinet meeting in his office on Tuesday at 11am to review a 17-point agenda. Ministers, special assistants, advisers, chief secretary and others will attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar directed the department concerned to complete the cleanliness of nullahs before monsoon. In a statement, the chief minister said that surrounding encroachments should also be removed and a report be submitted to his office as well.

In a statement, the CM regretted that the opposition had no regard for the country. This cabal even politicised the corona issue and was trying to deceive the people when the economy was growing, he added.

The CM expressed deep grief over the death of former Senator Usman Khan Kakar. In a condolence message, the CM extended sympathies to the heirs and prayed that may Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace.