Punjab spent record amount on development projects: minister.

Byline: Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI -- Refuting Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhy's claim that Punjab had not spent enough money on development projects, Provincial Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan on Sunday said Rs178 billion were utilised under the Annual Development Programme and Rs42 billion under public-private partnership, the highest in the first two quarters of the fiscal year during the last five years.

Replying to a question during a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club on Sunday, Mr Chohan said: 'Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry is a respectable minister but sometimes he makes emotional statements and claimed that Punjab had spent only Rs77 billion so far in development works. However being the information minister and provincial government's spokesperson I would like to clear the facts that he (Fawad) presented wrong figures of development works.'

He said in Punjab, tax collection rate was 104pc, and 35pc of the total development budget was being spent on south Punjab.

He said the province was performing well by devising public welfare policies and carrying out record legislation in the Punjab Assembly in 18 months. He said health cards were distributed in 60pc of the districts of the province.

Says Fawad Chaudhry had presented wrong figures

The provincial minister said performance of the Punjab government was excellent and Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab cabinet and treasury benches were satisfied with Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

He said there would be no change in the provincial government and Sardar Usman Buzdar would continue to serve the province as chief minister for the next three years.

'I once again categorically deny rumours of change in Punjab as a campaign had been launched against the chief minister. He will complete his term,' Mr Chohan said.

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