Opposition lambasts govt policies in PA

Says gvot failed in containing the pandemic, supporting farmers

LAHORE: The opposition lawmakers came down hard on the provincial government over its unsatisfactory measures to control the coronavirus pandemic, dismantling local body system and not taking strict action against encroachers.

The proceedings started after a delay of more than one hour with Panel of Chairman Mian Shafi presiding over the lower house.

Former Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan grilled the government for doing away with the local body system.

He said that the dissolution of local body system is tantamount to killing the common people.

“The government should have made some arrangements to address the issues of the people at the grass root level before dismantling the local body system,” the former Punjab Assembly speaker lambasted, adding, “A common man’s problem is confined to his area, street and square which are unfortunately not being resolved.”

Another Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) legislator Samiullah Khan, during the question hour, expressed concern over the non-removal of encroachments despite formulation of a special squad assigned with the said purpose.

The lawmaker said the government claims ‘all is well’ though ‘nothing well’ can be witnessed anywhere at all.

“The encroachers are expanding their businesses challenging the writ of the government while the authorities are singing songs of success,” Samiullah Khan mocked.

Panel of Chairman Mian Shafi also warned Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan for inappropriate behavior during the assembly session and asked him to present the better side of his conduct.

The argument between the legislators was sparked by the suggestion of the government to impose new taxes on the agriculture sector that resulted in a fiery backlash from the veteran politician Rana Mashhood.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2020.