Back and forth: ‘Treasury approached opposition to end boycott’

PML-N leader Nalotha says PTI-led govt’s budget has ignored the masses

HARIPUR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Sardar Aurangzeb Khan Nalotha disclosed on Wednesday that some members from the treasury asked him to the end the boycott of the budget session.

“We will continue with it and reject Bani Gala’s budget,” he told the media. He said the budget was always formulated at government offices in the province, but this time PTI prepared it in Bani Gala.

Nalotha said the outlay had no benefits for the public.  Accusing the PTI-led government of being incompetent and not serious about the issues of the masses, Nalotha said the “self-proclaimed proponents of change” deliberately allowed billions to lapse from the current development budget without taking their voters into consideration. “We have given them two years to serve the people and never created obstacles in their path, but now we will [be a] strong opposition,” he asserted.

Nalotha said if development funds had been released, the problems faced by underdeveloped rural areas would have been minimised to a great extent. “However, an inexperienced government allowed huge funds to lapse.”



Waiting on funds

The PML-N leader added the opposition would only return to the assembly if it was assured funds would be allocated for development. He also accused the PTI regime of rigging the local government elections.

Nalotha said Imran Khan duped the nation by pointing fingers at PML-N for rigging the 2013 general elections, “but the PTI is yet to prove such allegations.” He said the rigging during LG elections could be proven with documentary evidence.

To a question, Nalotha claimed opposition parties could oust the K-P government within days, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not want to destabilise a politically elected government.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2015.