Iftar meeting with opposition ends without result

Opposition says will only talk to CM on issues of development funds and resignations


Our Correspondent May 19, 2019
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. PHOTO: AFP

PESHAWAR: The rift between the government and opposition benches grew wider after the later refused to talk with provincial ministers.

K-P Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani had invited members of the opposition in K-P Assembly for an Iftar meeting with ministers representing the government.

The first round of talks between the treasury and opposition benches was held in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani Chamber to discuss grievances and reservations of the opposition.

Leader of the Opposition Akram Khan Durrani informed the members about his reservations over the distribution of development funds and District Development Advisory Committees (DDAC).

K-P ministers Shaukat Ali Yousufzai, Sultan Mohammad Khan and Qalandar Khan Lodhi represented the government, while Akram Khan Durrani, Sardar Yousuf Hussain Babak and Sana Ullah represented the opposition.

They said the government did not seem sincere in implementing its promises. The ministers assured that the legitimate issues of the opposition would be removed.

Opposition to put up 'grand show' at Iftar-dinner today

The opposition in K-P Assembly said they will not engage with provincial ministers to resolve the issue of the distribution of development funds and the chairmanship of District Development Advisory Committees (DDAC).

They said they would talk only with the chief executive of the province CM Mahmood Khan.

Durrani said he was leaving for Saudi Arabia to perform Umra and any dialogue will take place on his return after Eid.

Later, talking to The Express Tribune Durrani said talks with the government would be considered after Eid: “I am leaving for the Umra, I foresee that talks could be held after Eid.”

Earlier in the month, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, seeking to end the protest of the opposition lawmakers, has again assured them of accepting the ratio of 65:35 for the distribution of development funds.

MPAs from the treasury benches will get 65% share of district development funds while the opposition will get 35% as per the formula.

Besides, K-P CM has put a halt on the release of funds for the government MPAs of southern districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2019.

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