CM takes credit for Rs56b tax relief in budget.

Lahore -- Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Tuesday took credit for Rs 56 billion tax relief given to businesses community saying that the government took this step despite difficult economic situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

'This step will generate economic activities that will in turn generate employment and the government will be able to collect more taxes', he said in a statement.

The CM affirmed that the budget was based on realistic development targets instead of jugglery of words as had been the case in past.

He maintained that realistic data had been used with focus on the public welfare. 'A more balanced and relief-oriented budget cannot be presented in the prevailing circumstances', he said.

Usman Buzdar criticized the Opposition accusing it of adopting un-democratic and un-parliamentary attitude during the budget speech. 'The Opposition violated the established parliamentary norms due to their non-serious attitude', he added.

The CM regretted that Opposition had no interest in public welfare as it was engaged in the politics of non-issues.

CM takes MPAs from Multan into confidence over South Punjab set up

Provincial assembly members from Multan called on Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here on Tuesday.

The assembly members discussed matters of mutual interest and thanked the CM for ring-fencing of Southern Punjab's development funds.

The CM assured that proposals of the assembly will be executed and their genuine issues will be solved on a priority basis because their respect is his respect.

Talking on this occasion, the CM said the funds had been allocated for the Southern Punjab secretariat which will be made functional soon.

Approval for the posts of Additional Chief Secretary and Additional IG for Southern Punjab secretariat has been given and now the Southern Punjab dwellers will not have to visit Lahore as their problems will be solved at grassroots.

He regretted that the past government transferred Southern Punjab's funds and the people remained poor and backward.

The past rulers deceived the people of Southern Punjab in the name of development but the incumbent government has returned the right of development to Southern Punjab, he said.

Those who called on CM included Provincial Minister Akhtar Malik, Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi, Muhammad Saleem Akhtar, Malik Wasif Mazhar Raan, Mian Tariq Abdullah, Qasim Abbas Khan and Sabeen Gul Khan.

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