‘Naya Pakistan proponents can’t rid K-P of mice’

Minister Pasha eulogised as lioness

LAHORE: Just a day into Mian Mehmmoodur Rasheed’s scathing attack on budgetary allocations, Provincial Assembly Treasury members on Friday eulogised the government for presenting a “people-friendly budget.”

Heckling pursued intermittently as Treasury members took pot shots at the Opposition for its conduct during the budget’s presentation. While Treasury members took turns to laud various budgetary aspects, in particular the Orange Line Metro Train project, a majority assailed the Opposition for not having the patience to hear Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha’s speech. The minister was later hailed as a lioness for persevering through.



Heated arguments ensued as Human Rights and Minorities’ Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Tariq Gill accused the Opposition of destabilising the province with street protests. “A dharna will not stop us. You can stage protests while we continue working,” he said amid much support. As the PTI’s Siddique Khan and Asif Mehmood rose to their feet to respond, Gill lashed out at the party.

Citing the Opposition leader’s three-hour-long speech, Treasury members said while they had sat patiently through it, the Opposition failed to exhibit the same courtesy during Pasha’s budget speech. MPA Abdul Rauf Mughal criticised the lack of decorum followed by the Opposition on Monday and also flayed the Speaker for failing to reign it in.

Insisting that he be allowed to speak in Seraiki, Bahawalpur’s Khalid Waran was granted permission reluctantly following a light-hearted exchange between him and the Speaker. Waran defended the government’s policies and budgetary allocations for south Punjab in his mother tongue.

Dismissing allegations of unfair allocation of funds, Treasury members also rejected the Opposition’s claims of having meted out step-motherly treatment to south Punjab. Waris Kallu called on the government to extend a subsidy to cultivators on loan interest.

He also asked Minister Pasha to review tax on agriculturists. Besides paying agriculture income tax, he said cultivators could not afford to pay the FBR.  Kallu said double taxation was unconstitutional. Waheed Gul proposed the provision of a tax-free car per lawmaker along with different tax brackets for filing and non-filing MPAs.

Besides self-congratulation, some Treasury members pointed out shortcomings. Jamil Hassan of Nankana Sahib complained about the poor standard of land record computerisation in his constituency. Reservations over the failure to construct the Balloki-Phoolnagar road as well as failure to provide power to a girls’ high school in his hometown were also aired rather aggressively by the Treasury member.

The PMLN’s Abdul Razzaq Dhillon from Sargodha lashed out at the Opposition for expecting thousands to welcome PAT supremo Tahirul Qadri. “They think they can create naya (new) Pakistan by taking to the streets. We will create it through progressive interventions,” he said. A party that can’t rid a province of mice aspires to bring about a naya Pakistan, Dhillon quipped.



Dhillon concluded his speech by requesting Minister Pasha to ensure the provision of clean drinking water in his constituency. A similar request was put forth by Amjad Ali Javed of Toba Tek Singh, which he said, was yet to be made a part of   the Saaf Pani project.

Other recommendations put forth by lawmakers included establishing an Intermediate and Secondary Education Commission along the lines of the Provincial Higher Education Commission, hospital management councils and grants for Sahiwal and Okara universities.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was present at the venue for a fleeting visit but restricted himself to just his chambers. The debate will recommence on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2016.