Setting priorities: Sherpao expresses reservations over federal budget 2015-16

QWP chief lashes out at elements ‘trying to sabotage CPEC’

PESHAWAR: QWP Chairperson Aftab Ahmad Sherpao raised concerns about the federal government’s decision to propose a 7.5% increase in the salaries of government employees as an ad hoc allowance.

Speaking at a news conference at Watan Kor in University Town on Saturday, he said this increase should have been made in proportion to the inflation rate.

He termed the federal budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 “anti-poor and pro-rich”.

“The federal government has also ignored the agriculture sector in the budget even though it is the mainstay of its economy. Farmers should have been given more incentives to bring the country’s economy back on the track.”

According to Sherpao, a sizeable portion of the industrial sector has screeched to a halt in the province due to militancy.

“This has affected employment rates as well,” he said. “The federal government should focus on this sector and devise strategies to make this sector functional again.”

On Friday, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar unveiled a new federal budget with a Rs4.451 trillion outlay, which aims to promote economic growth and investment in the country. He rejected claims that the budget did not account for underprivileged sections of society, saying it is “pro-poor with the rich in mind”.

Poll crisis

Sherpao also rejected the results of last week’s local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2015.