One PA resolution slams PTI, another praises it

PML-N lawmaker says increased gas prices are unacceptable

LAHORE: While on the one hand a PML-N lawmaker demanded that skyrocketing prices of gas be reduced, her PTI counterpart submitted a resolution praising the government for passing a “pro-people” budget for FY2019-20.

PML-N’s Sadia Taimur and PTI’s Mussarat Jamshed both submitted their resolutions to the Punjab Assembly Secretariat on Monday. Saida Taimur strongly condemned the increase of gas prices, saying the poor masses were already suffering from, what she called,  PTI’s ‘tsunami’.

She said the ruling party has been claiming that the ‘tsunami’ would change the fate of the poor, but the weight of inflation is crushing them instead. In her resolution, she submitted that starvation would force people to commit suicide. She demanded the federal government reverse its decision to increase gas prices. She also demanded that people be given a subsidy on routine food items.

Meanwhile, PTI MPA Mussarat Jamshed contended that her party had presented a historical budget for 2019-20. She said this was the first outlay which was in accordance with Prime Minster Imran Khan’s electoral manifesto.

“This house pays tribute to PM Khan and Chief Miniter Sardar Usman Buzdar for passing a pro-people budget, under which Rs.350billion were allocated for Punjab’s development.” She applauded the programs planned by the PTI government to uplift lower-income groups. “All segments of society were included in the budget. Orphans, widows and the differently-abled’ all were fully accommodated through huge allocations.

She said all targets would be achieved and the poverty eliminated. “The state will ensure the protection of the poor masses in Naya Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2019.