K-P's Rs121b budget draws bipartisan fire

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly witnessed sharp criticism on Sunday as both opposition and some government lawmakers raised serious objections to the provincial government's Rs121 billion supplementary budget, terming it evidence of administrative failure and poor financial planning.

Members argued that the supplementary budget was presented after excessive spending in the previous financial year, with the Finance Department allegedly manipulating figures to cover up shortcomings. Several lawmakers demanded a thorough audit of the supplementary grants and called for sending such matters to relevant committees, citing practices in other countries.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Ahmad Kundi strongly opposed the manner in which the budget was being pushed through. "According to the Constitution, approval must be sought before spending, but the government spends first and then seeks our rubber-stamp approval," he said. He demanded that either amendments be made or a resolution brought to address the issue, adding that in India, excess expenditure matters are referred to a committee.

Kundi highlighted multiple issues, including acute water scarcity in DI Khan affecting farmers, bureaucratic overreach, and the need to resolve the province's water rights case. He also criticised the closure of Pak-Afghan borders, which he said had halted food exports and caused losses not just to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but to the entire country.

Lawmaker Obaid Khan expressed concern over attempts to impose taxes in Malakand, an area that has suffered heavily from terrorism and natural disasters. "The responsibility of governments is to solve public problems, not burden them with more taxes," he said. He pointed out the poor condition of the Malakand road despite five districts relying on it and criticised the allocation of only Rs90 million for the Malakand Motorway as insufficient.

Sajjad Barkwal voiced serious reservations about the budget numbers, saying they appeared to be "padded." He criticised the allocation of Rs1 billion for road repairs alongside a separate Rs13 billion, and Rs16 billion for the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) without clear expenditure details. He alleged that the supplementary budget reflected a conspiracy against Peshawar, comparing it to past controversies surrounding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Barkwal also questioned the PDA taking over the beautification of 34 parks, including those under district government jurisdiction, and demanded an audit of the entire Rs121 billion package.

Other lawmakers highlighted sector-specific issues. Askar Pervez stressed the role of missionary schools in education and called for funds to repair their dilapidated buildings, along with the recruitment of minority teachers in government schools.

Rehana Ismail described the Rs121.74 billion as a significant amount and said presenting supplementary budgets every year was proof of governmental failure.