Big budget blues

This year’s budget has stirred up both, criticism and support in Pakistani entertainment circles.

This year’s budget has stirred up criticism and support  in Pakistani entertainment circles. Sangeeta has said that she will strike against the latest budget and will only wait till August 15 to formally protest against the government.

Mustafa Qureshi, however, is on the government’s side. He thinks all the criticism is a controversy to further damage the entertainment industry of Pakistan.

Celebrities shared mixed opinions about this year’s budget. While some consider it to be better than past budgets, others believe cultural sectors have been neglected.

Ghulam Mohiyuddin

It is unfortunate that there is no share for the film industry in the new provincial budget despite the fact that in this time of crisis, the Pakistani film industry is looking forward to the government’s support and attention.

Nauman Ijaz

Other than allocating a sufficient budget for the improvement of various sectors, the government has also introduced new policies.

However, like the federal government, the provincial government has failed to do anything constructive for the people belonging to cultural sectors.

Aslam Darr

The film industry should be encouraged to reflect Pakistan’s art since it is the only industry that can promote other cultures and traditions of our country.

Iftikhar Thakkur

Prices have already been hiked up so much that daily commodities have become unaffordable. The area of culture has been neglected during the budget’s formulation.

Sangeeta

People are disappointed that the budget failed to take steps for the improvement of art and culture … government representatives had assured us that they would provide for us in the latest budget but nothing happened.

Kanwal

Considering Punjab’s resources, the current budget is reasonable in every sense.

The provincial government has put in extra efforts to relieve people through this budget. It will definitely benefit them.

Kashif Mahmood

Every time the budget is announced, it tends to increase the miseries of the people.

The problems of people in Pakistan are out of the government’s control.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2010.