PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
Talking to a group of journalists on Tuesday, the PTI leader issued a white paper on the misuse of public funds by the Punjab government.
"Shehbaz always chants slogans of simplicity and austerity, while luxurious lifestyle of the so-called ‘Khadim-e-Aala' costs Rs1.7 million on a daily to the citizens of Punjab," he said.
During the current financial year 2017-18, he pointed out that the provincial government purchased six new double-cabin vehicles for the protocol of the chief minister of Punjab at a cost of Rs24 million. In addition, a sum of Rs21 million has been spent on the purchase of a bulletproof car which is being used by the rulers. "The Punjab government has paid over Rs120 million to the federal government on account of rent for hiring a helicopter for Shehbaz and his disqualified cabinet."
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Another Rs25 million have been spent on the purchase of three separate cars to provide protocol to provincial ministers. Over Rs10 million worth of mobile communication jammers were installed on three cars, which are being used by officials of the special branch, he said. The PTI leader added that the rulers were spending public money on their own welfare and paying no attention to the basic issues of the common man.
Rasheed went on to say that the Anti-Terrorism Department of the Punjab government kept all its focus on procuring expensive vehicles. The department bought two bulletproof jeeps for over Rs80 million. It also spent Rs7 million to transform an existing vehicle to a bulletproof one “It is very unfortunate that most of these vehicles were acquired from public money and only used to provide security to the Sharif family.”
The opposition leader further said that the Punjab government spent Rs8 billion on development schemes in NA-120 by-elections, just to get former first lady Kulsoom Nawaz elected from the constituency. All these funds were diverted from various development schemes for health, education, water and other social sectors.
"You will not find a single example when rulers of Punjab looted public exchequer like current ones. The Punjab government has made a payment of Rs5.5 million to advocate Haris Saleem for contesting deposed premier Nawaz Sharif in an accountability court. Another Rs2.5 million was paid to Advocate Azam Nazeer Tarar for handling similar matters.
An addition payment of Rs10.5 million was made through public kitty for security of the Sharif residence in Jati Umra, while around Rs2 million were spent on installation of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV).”
He said the chief minister of Punjab always made false claims, but the government failed to eliminate load-shedding from the country, he said. "The Sharifs are busy in inaugurating under-developed schemes and projects. Most public welfare projects started by Shehbaz have been closed down just because of the negligence of the state machinery and interference of rulers."
Rasheed said that the ruling party has failed to open a single project of public welfare. He added the development funds of the entire province have been spent in Lahore, especially on the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project, which is still incomplete, but has been inaugurated by the chief minister recently.
"Corruption and mismanagement is rampant in all development schemes of the government. Misappropriation and unjustified use of public money has created a sense of deprivation among the masses. The people of Punjab and Pakistan are ready to announce their verdict against ruling party in 2018 general elections."
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2018.
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