LAHORE: Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Punjab Mian Aslam Iqbal said on Tuesday that present government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Punjab has completed the projects worth Rs 5,550 billion initiated by the previous PML (N) government.

While expressing his views and responding to the criticism of opposition on Punjab budget 2020-21 Aslam said that PML (N) had started these mega projects because they knew that they were not coming in to power and it will be difficult for the incoming government to allocate funds for these projects. He also said that we completed the projects because the projects were beneficial for the poor people.

Aslam while criticising the PML (N) said that in their tenure they allocated 16 percent for South Punjab but the present PTI government had allocated 36 percent budget for the South Punjab.

The funds allocated by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar for the South Punjab will be used there only.

He further said that present government had allocated Rs 4 billion for the eradication of Locusts in the province. He said government had allocated Rs 25 billion for providing loans to small and medium enterprises.

PML (N) MPA Malik Ahmed Khan criticized government for abolishing the wheat subsidy in the budget. He said government had left the farmers alone.

The government has not taken any significant steps in the situation of coronavirus. He said that government should answer that how the construction cost of orange line project increased. The Rs 30 billion project cannot go beyond 67 billion, but how did it reach Rs 300 billion.

PML (N) MPA Hina Pervez Butt said that governments can be formed by magic, but they cannot be maintained.

PTI MPA Saeed Akbar Nawani said instead of criticising the budget opposition should appreciate it. He criticized bureaucracy for not cooperating with Prime Minister Imran Khan and chief minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar. He challenged that there is no record of pensioners.

PML (N) MPA Kazim Peerzada condemned the use of unethical language against the daughter of Holy Prophet (PBUH) Hazarat Fatima (RA) by Ashraf Asif Jalali. He demanded that Asif Jalali should not only be held accountable but also brought to justice.

Agreeing with the Kazim Perrzada PTI MPA Samsam Shah Bukhari said that daughter of Holy Prophet (PBUH) Hazarat Fatima (RA) is not respectable for one sect but She is respected by all sects and even by the whole world. He said such type of remarks create an atmosphere of sectarianism. Sectarianism can only be eradicated if such scholars are prevented from spreading hatered among the sects of Muslims.

He demanded that government should bring legislation on the sanctity of Ahl al-Bayt (RA) in the same way as they bring legislation on Khatm-e Nabuwat (PBUH) and on the sanctity of the companions of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Law minister Raja Basharat said that a case has been registered against Asif Ashraf Jalali for using inappropriate language against Hazarat Fatima (RA). He said a Superintendent Police is investigating the whole matter. He assured the House that Asif Jalali will be kept in the fourth schedule. He further said that soon he will be arrested and should be given exemplary punishment.