Daily Times

The PTI government increased the budget allocation for the South Punjab and this amount will only be spent in the areas of South Punjab, it was stated by Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal on Tuesday, while concluding the general debate on Punjab budget. “The budget allocation for South Punjab was just 16 percent during the PML-N tenure but the PTI government increased the allocation and now it is at 36 percent today,” said Aslam Iqbal, in his concluding speech. The general debate on Punjab’s budget remained continued for four days in which the MPAs shared their views on budget that was presented by Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht in Punjab Assembly. The treasury benches MPAs were of the view that the budget wasn’t possible better than this one keeping in view the prevailing economic situation while the opposition termed it anti-poor budget in their speeches. Earlier, it was the tradition that the Finance Minister used to conclude the debate on budget in Punjab Assembly but this year it was concluded by Minister for Industries. Mian Aslam Iqbal once again criticized the previous governments for their policies while terming them responsible for the current economic situation of the province. A hefty amount of 720 million was spent for the security of personal residences of previous rulers where 2900 police officials were deputed, the minister said. He claimed that 5550 schemes were initiated by the previous rulers because they knew very well that they will not come into power again but the PTI completed all these schemes because they were the projects of poor people.

Earlier, the session of Punjab Assembly started after a delay of more than one hour with Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in the chair. Both the treasury and opposition benches condemned the religious scholar and President of his own faction of Tehreek-e-Labaik Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali for using derogatory remarks against Hazrat Bibi Fatima R.A (the daughter of Holy Prophet PBUH). The issue was raised by PML-N lawmaker Kazim Pirzada as he demanded stern action against Jalali for using derogatory remarks against the daughter of Holy Prophet. He was endorsed by a senior minister Pir Syed Samsam Bukhari who demanded legislation to curb the blasphemy against the family of Holy Prophet in future.

“Over a hundred custodians of different shrines approached me and demanded action against this person who was found using derogatory remarks against Bibi Fatima R.A,” said Samsam Bukhari, who himself is a custodian of shrine Hazrat Karman Wala in Okara. Law Minister Raja Basharat said that a case has been registered against Jalali and an officer of the rank of SP is investigating it. It will be ensured that Jalali will be included in the Fourth Schedule and he will be arrested soon.

Malik Ahmed Khan, Hina Pervaiz Butt and Malik Arshad of PML-N and Momina Waheed of PTI also participated in the general debate on Punjab Budget on Tuesday. It was the last day of general debate on budget. Now demands for grants will be discussed on Wednesday and Thursday. The session was later adjourned to meet again on Wednesday afternoon.