Most of the PML-N lawmakers whose names were called on Thursday for speaking on the supplementary budget in the Punjab Assembly session attended by members from the treasury benches were absent, while the rest demanded a fair investigation into allegations of misuse of the public exchequer by former chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
As the proceedings started, the Panel of Chairmen announced the name of Opposition Leader Sibtain Khan for starting general discussion on the supplementary budget.
However, he was not present as the opposition is holding a parallel session in the Punjab Assembly building after declaring the government’s session at Aiwan-e-Iqbal illegal.
Several MPAs from the ruling party were invited to speak about the provincial supplementary budget, but they were also not present.
Those who participated in the session demanded a fair probe into alleged misuse of the exchequer by Buzdar.
PML-N MPA Uzma Zahid Bukhari said, “No doubt it is a critical situation that the provincial government is going to pass the previous government’s supplementary budget.” She said the members were astonished to find out that billions of rupees had been spent by former CM Buzdar about which no detail was available on record. “It would be an injustice with the poor masses if this matter is not investigated.”
Panel of Chairmen member Khalil Tahir Sindhu also said a commission should be constituted and a fair audit was required. He said there were a lot of other matters which required a fair investigation.
However, he did not pass any ruling on the matter.
Advocate Saba Sadiq said the government should also focus on women working in villages, adding that they should be given opportunities in the livestock and small industry sectors. “We should take concrete measures to improve their lives,” she said.
She also said the government should provide the best facilities to the children who were dependant upon the state. “We should look after them like our children. They should be given all necessities of life, including education and health, for ensuring their better future.
She also demanded a probe against the previous government.
MPA Rana Ali Abbas raised the issue of the alleged allotment of 10-acre land in Faisalabad to a woman.
He also said the city had been deprived of clean drinking water, which was causing diseases.
PML-N’s Illyas Chinioti tabled a resolution demanding inclusion of the Chiniot-Faisalabad road in the Annual Development Programme, which was approved unanimously.
Voting on the supplementary budget is scheduled on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2022.
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