'Inclusive' budget focuses on 11 areas, says Bakht.

LAHORE -- Calling it an 'inclusive budget', Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht says 11 areas like education, health, employment etc. have been given priority.

The Punjab Assembly budget session started two hours behind the schedule and saw usual rumpus for most part of the proceedings. The house met at 4pm and the minister started his speech in next 10 minutes, and saw opposition up in arms - led by leader of opposition Hamza Shahbaz.

The session is being held at a private hotel, checks at the entry points were much relaxed as compared to the Assembly Hall, allowing the members to bring in placards depicting protest slogans and demands.

As soon as the minister took the rostrum, some three dozen opposition members gathered in front of the chair, occupied by Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, and started their protest, which lasted for the next 35 minutes. The opposition wanted to know where sugar barons have gone; and where promises of five million homes and 10m jobs have gone. Out of the 40-minute budget speech, the opposition kept its protest for 35 minutes before it walked out and allowed the treasury to complete the process in next five minutes and adjourn the House to meet on Thursday [2pm].

The minister was of the view that apart from being inclusive, the budget follows PTI vision 'agay bharo' (move forward) Punjab.' This vision provides guidelines...