Raising voices: Govt should present four budgets in a year, says Khursheed Shah

He says the government is increasing the prices of commodities on the directions of IMF

SUKKUR: The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Khursheed Ahmed Shah, strongly criticised the federal government for raising the prices of various commodities on the directions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He advised the government to present four budgets in a year to address the criticism over its incapability.

Speaking to the media after visiting Civil Hospital, Sukkur, on Sunday, Shah took jibes at the federal government. "It should present a unique example before the world community by presenting four budgets in a year in the months of June, August, December and March," he said. "By doing this, the government will be saved from criticism."



He criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his claims to end the power crisis within three months. "The time went on and the government has failed to end the power crisis or do something for the poor," he said. He further advised the government to start a coal power project in Sindh instead of Sahiwal, adding that Sindh is also part of Pakistan.

"It is common practice that after losing elections, people start using the word 'rigging' for face-saving," he said. "Performance of any political party cannot be judged through local government elections. Pakistan Peoples Party will take advantage of the poor performance of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz government in 2018 general elections."

Expressing his lack of knowledge over the removal of Syed Nasir Hussain Shah from the slot of local bodies' minister, he said, "I don't know the reason behind it."

Urging the government to give priority to health and education sectors, he said that weak nations never flourish. He thanked the Sindh chief minister for increasing Sukkur's Civil Hospital's budget to Rs200 million and the health secretary for promising to post 48 more doctors in the hospital. "We want the poor and needy to get quality healthcare free of charge," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd,  2015.