All expenses for Bhutto's anniversary to be borne by PPP, claims Bilawal

PPP chairperson takes notice of the release of Rs25 million for the event from Sindh government

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman on Wednesday took notice of reports regarding Sindh government's decision to release Rs25 million for an event on party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's death anniversary.

According to a statement, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari ordered Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to conduct an inquiry into the matter, saying all costs for the event on April 4 will be borne by party's own resources.

"The government will not pay a penny from its funds," the PPP chairman said, as he ordered CM Sindh to investigate the matter.

Chairman #PPP @BBhuttoZardari orders inquiry into release of funds by Sindh govt for Shaheed ZAB martyrdom… https://t.co/WCU15qd5ch

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) March 30, 2016

Official documents earlier said the funds were released by the finance department after a summary was approved by the chief minister.



In the document released on Monday, finance department section officer (B and E-VII) referring to the chief minister’s summary said, “The amount has been sanctioned in anticipation of budgetary provision 2015-2016 and will be released from law and order budget.”

However, PPP Sindh information secretary Waqar Mehdi had rejected the claim.

“Not a single penny has been released by the provincial government and all expenses will be borne by the PPP,” he told The Express Tribune.

I refuse to observe Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary

Meanwhile, leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, also lambasted the Sindh government for misusing taxpayers’ money.

“Using the taxpayers’ money for hosting a party event is shameful for any political party,” said the MQM lawmaker.