Opposition calls Punjab budget IMF-dictated.

LAHORE -- Notwithstanding the warning issued by the deputy speaker on Friday to the missing minister of finance as well as the secretary during discussion on the provincial budget, both of them were also missing when proceedings of Punjab Assembly resumed after a two-day break here on Monday.

The chair suspended the proceedings until the arrival of the two finance department representatives when PML-N`s Tahir Khalil Sandhu pointed out the absence of the minister and the secretary during the discussion on budget.

The Punjab Assembly session started with a delay of one hour and eight minutes under the chair of Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Mohammad Mazari.

Participating in the debate, former speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal said that the budget was as per directions of the IMF and nothing was given to the governmentemployees who had played their role in preparing the annual financial plan with speed.

He lamented that the government cut funds for roads by 67 percent and failed to execute any worthwhile project.

He said the government was nowhere to be seen as every sector has been rendered ineffective with mafia controlling agriculture, sugar, flour, wheat, petrol and other commodities and sectors. The government failed to control inflation, and procure wheat while no significant amount was allocated for livestock and alleviated malnutrition.

PPP`s Syed Ali Haider Gilani said that in 2018 South Punjab province was promised in 100 days but after 600 days, only a secretariat was being established for the purpose but the people of the region rejected it. `We need our own chief minister, speaker and share in NFC Award.

He said locust has wreaked havoc in south Punjab thus loans of the affected farmers should be written off.

He said that a committee should be formed comprising MPAs of south Punjab to monitor the utilization of funds allocated for the region. He sought an increase in salaries of government employees by 10 per cent and those serving atMultan be given Big City Allowance.

PTPs Neelam Hayat said that the whole world is suffering from the coronavirus outbreak; the economy has shrunk and in these circumstances the budget is a breath of fresh air as tax relief has been given to the common man in the budget.

Referring to accountability of the former rulers, she said there was an endless list of inquiries and corruption cases against the PMLN.

PML-N`s Samiullah...

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