Lawmakers want more time for budget debate

PTI member accuses PML-N of launching projects to create problems for govt

LAHORE: While continuing to criticise each other over a range of issues, members of Punjab Assembly from both the treasury and opposition benches complained on Tuesday that they were not being granted sufficient time to participate in the budget debate.

Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari presided over the proceedings on the fourth day of discussion on the budget.

PML-N’s Malik Ahmed Khan claimed that the PTI-led government had failed to carry on work on several projects.

Responding to the point, treasury lawmaker Saeed Akbar Nawani alleged that it was the plan of PML-N’s previous government of starting new schemes and projects at the time when its tenure was ending, to create problems for the new government.

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Speaking about the Covid-19 pandemic, Malik Ahmed said he was at a loss to understand the logic of the health minister who was claiming that she deserved appreciation for not imposing strict lockdown. “The government has completely failed in putting the country on right track as well as to control locusts and Covid-19.”

PML-N’s Malik Arshad, Zohaib Ahmed and others termed the budget as anti-people, saying it did not include any relief for the poor.

The proceedings were disturbed when PML-N’s Hina Pervez Butt stood up to speak but soon the treasury lawmakers started shouting slogans.

Deputy Speaker Mazari intervened, remarking, “Those who want pandemonium may go outside the House.”

Hina Pervez asked the treasury benches about the current status of tax collection, recalling that the ruling PTI’s head used to say that “the nation avoids paying taxes if there is a thief in power”.

PTI’s Saeed Nawani raised objection over the ringing of a bell to indicate that the time allocated for his speech was over. “Please ask me to stop the speech rather than ringing the bell,” he said. He said it was an old practice which should end.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2020.