Provincial legislators of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget for 2016-17, and said the budget was restricted to only four districts. They asked the provincial government to give due rights, to underprivileged districts, instead of allocating funds for their 'blue-eyed'.
Addressing at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club here on Wednesday, PML-N legislator Arbab Waseem Khan described it the worst-ever budget presented by the PTI government in the history of the country. He said the provincial government failed to present people-friendly budget, and it didn't take steps to give relief to poor masses, and termed the budget as 'jugglery of words'.
Flanked by PML-N MPAs, Saleh Muhammad, Gohar Zaman, Sardar Zahoor, Mian Ziaur Rehman, and Amina Sardar, he said the budget of the KP 2016-17 restricted only to four districts represented by the CM (Nowshera), Speaker (Swabi), Education Minister (Mardan) and the Finance Minister (Dir Lower) where majority of the funds have been allocated. He said the PTI-led government taking the credit of the projects initiated by the federal government and the present budget was reflective of the same.
PML-N legislator said the KP budget 2016-17 comprises heavy taxation mainly on the poor segment of the society, they said and adding that therefore the people reject it tooth and nail. He asked the provincial government to make equal allocations in the budget for all underprivileged districts of the province. Arbab Waseem said that his party didn't want to destabilise the provincial government, and favoured to strengthen democracy in the country. He asked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan, instead of creating hurdle before the federal government, should focus on development and progress in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He further asked the PTI chief that he should take steps for good-governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the people can not be further deceived by holding any more 'dharna' (sit-ins). Saleh Muhammad said that the KP government is not capable enough to utilise the funds despite ruling for last three years in the province. He further added the development funds had continuously lapsed for last three years, and this year, budget unlikely to fully utilised, he said.
PML-N legislator said the government has kept focus on only four districts, regardless about the other underdeveloped districts of the province. He said those criticising the metro bus services in Punjab, have even failed to complete feasibility of metro in Peshawar.
Arbab Waseem termed the tug of war between PTI chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) head Dr Tahirul Qadri, as conspiracy against Pakistan. He regretted the media trial of Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz by political opponents. He said those criticising Maryam Nawaz, were actually afraid of her growing popularity. He hailed the Maryam Nawaz for running matter of the Prime Minister House smoothly and efficiently.
Amina Sardar said the PTI chairman Imran Khan should stop deceiving nation on various tactics, saying that people will see destine of those taking U-turn. He said PTI is only social media party. She said the PTI-led provincial government had completely failed to bring any visible change during last three and half years rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She said people are tiring from the hollow slogans and false promises.