Budget debate: Smooth sailing for Balochistan govt

Opposition comprises one member who hasn’t shown up after being sworn in.

QUETTA:

The budget debate in the Balochistan Assembly was a drab affair as all but one assembly members are on treasury benches – most of the lawmakers spent most of the time in praising everyone there is to praise in the provincial and federal governments. The one said to be in opposition has not attended any session since the swearing-in ceremony.

While, most legislators appreciated the provincial government for unveiling what they described as a people-friendly and balanced budget for the next fiscal year, a few of them, however, criticised the federal government for not supporting a sustainable economic progress in the province.

Lawmakers also called for ensuring law and order in the province, besides stressing the need for strengthening the capability of civilian law-enforcement agencies.

Syed Eshan Shah said the provincial development budget was merely Rs60 billion which was much less than other provinces.

Criticising the federal government for a huge gap between earmarked money for the province and actual disbursements, Ehsan Shah said: “The federal government…earmarked Rs30-40 billion but ended up releasing only Rs10 billion.

After considering these facts, no economist can even think that Balochistan’s economy will stand on a par with other provinces after two or even three decades,” he added.

Citing a report published by State Bank of Pakistan, Ehsan Shah said that the federal government was also not doing enough to bring foreign investment in Balochistan.

He said that lawmakers should be provided the details of the Rs15 billion allocated for development expenditures in the supplementary budget.

“The BNP-Awami was not taken into confidence about an increase in development expenditures which is estimated to increase from Rs7 to Rs15 billion,” he added.

Terming the devolution process burdensome, Dr Fauzia Nazir Marri predicted that it would precipitate a far worse economic crisis. She said that the provincial government should take up the issue with the federal government, otherwise the province will not be able to pay the salaries of its employees.

She also called for the production of records of under-construction roads and said that the ministry concerned should produce record dating back at least 10 years, indicating which roads are still incomplete.

Criticising the federal government, she said that over time, the Centre had allocated Rs137 billion on highways and roads in Balochistan, but spent only Rs7 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2011.