Fiery debate erupts in PA over budget

Opposition decries document as deceptive

LAHORE:

The debate over the recently presented provincial budget for 2024-25 sparked fiery exchanges between opposition and treasury lawmakers, with both sides at odds over whether the budget is truly “tax-free” or laden with taxes.

On the first day designated for general discussion on the annual budget, opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar of the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) launched the opening salvo.

Bhachar's speech critiqued the budget and compared the tenures of PMLN, PPP, and PTI, dismissing the government's claims of a tax-free budget as "a play on words."

Bhachar argued that despite the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) ruling for at least 21 years, PPP for around 13 years and PTI for approximately three and a half years, it was the PMLN and PPP that had led Pakistan to its current state of decline, offering nothing but empty promises to the public.

He highlighted that the government presented a budget of Rs5446 billion with an estimated total tax revenue of Rs4643 billion, leaving a gap of Rs803 billion. With a 54% increase in revenue, Bhachar questioned how this could be considered a tax-free budget.

Criticising Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's first 100 days in office, Bhachar claimed that the so-called achievements were not substantial.

He cited the "Ramzan Nigehban Program" as a failure, pointing out that the distributed flour was deemed inedible by the relevant department.

Bhachar also lamented the plight of Punjab’s farmers, who he said suffered a loss of Rs.789 billion due to the lack of government policy on wheat procurement. He detailed losses across various divisions: Rs44 billion in Rawalpindi, Rs101 billion in Gujrat, Rs69 billion in Sargodha, Rs99 billion in Faisalabad, and Rs100 billion in Multan. He warned that farmers were now reluctant to plant cotton and rice crops.

The police department, despite receiving a significant budget, was criticised for failing to take action against 234 officers involved in drug peddling.

Instead, Bhachar claimed, the police focused on arresting PTI lawmakers, workers, and supporters rather than protecting the public and fighting crime. He also accused the government of obstructing the appointment of judges to Anti-Terrorism Courts.

Bhachar questioned the effectiveness of the “Roshan Gharana Program,” and Maryam Nawaz's promise to provide 300 free electricity units, noting that many industries were suffering due to electricity shortages, resulting in the layoff of over 28,000 employees and a loss of Rs8.85 billion. He expressed concern over the government's priorities in education, health, and other sectors, accusing it of deceiving the public with empty promises. PMLN lawmakers, including MPA Shokat Raja, countered Bhachar’s speech, calling it filled with despair. They defended the budget, praised it initially, and then called for concrete measures to address issues in their respective areas.

At the start of the session, senior SIC member Rana Aftab raised concerns over the signing of the defamation bill 2024 by then-acting government official Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, who was presiding as Speaker.

Aftab questioned Khan’s moral authority in signing the bill, to which Khan responded that he would issue a ruling on the matter, noting that the bill had been approved by a majority of the House members.