Rs306.5b supplementary budget tabled in K-P PA

Minister says govt has no option but to pass it under compulsion

PESHAWAR:

More than Rs306.520 billion of supplementary budget for the year 2022-23 was presented in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday.

All the demands of grants were taken back on the request of Finance Minister Aftab Alam and Speaker Babar Salim Swati.

Finance Minister Aftab Alam said everyone knew about the political parties involved in the caretaker government. He said that the caretaker government had incurred huge expenses in eight months of the current fiscal year. “We will pass it under compulsion,” the minister said and added, “There is a constitutional requirement to pass the budget.”

He said that the opposition and treasury both were opposing to passage of the budget. Finance Minister Aftab Alam said that they would be consulted in the preparation of the next budget.

Parliamentary leader of PPP Ahmad Karim Kundi said that the annual report of the Provincial Finance Commission should be presented in the house. He said that the details of income and expenditure must be presented in the house under Article 163 sub-section 3 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Dr Ibadullah said, “The students in Kyrgyzstan are the children of the country and their safe return is our responsibility.” By taking immediate action on behalf of the federal government, the return of students was made possible through four flights, he added.

Now there is peace, if any student wants to stay to complete their degree instead of returning, they should not be forced, he said.

Special Assistant Malik Liaqat Ali said that the students of Pakistan are facing problems in Kyrgyzstan so it is the responsibility of K-P and the federal government for the safe return of the students. He said that the number of flights should be increased to expatriate 10,000 students.

Maulana Lutfur Rahman of JUIF said that protection of students in Kyrgyzstan should be the first priority of the government. Unfortunately, the country is currently suffering from a weak economic situation, he added.

He said the elections held on February 8, 2024 proved to be more rigged than the 2018 elections, adding political stability leads to economic stability.

The provincial assembly unanimously passed the resolution presented by MPA Shafi Jan for the formation of standing committees. The Speaker was also authorised to appoint the committees and change committee members.

Meanwhile, prayers were offered for the departed soul of Iranian President.

Later, the speaker adjourned the assembly proceedings till Tuesday 2pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2024.