The Balochistan Assembly on Saturday passed supplementary budget amounting to Rs 26.09 billion, and the session was marked by the presence of the Opposition that ended their boycott, and continued to oppose the budget.
Acting speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo was in the chair as Opposition members were welcomed on their return after they called off their boycott of the budget session of provincial assembly on Saturday.
Senior minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Nawab Sanaullah Zehri while taking the floor welcomed the Opposition on its return to the House and congratulated the Opposition over its decision.
Former speaker, Jan Muhammad Jamali, said, “Our democratic traditions are very old. It is great thing to give respect to others.” He said there will be development in the area on the completion of the Gwadar-Kashgar Corridor. He said that the solidarity shown recently over the tragic incident should be maintained. He said that presently the government has the full support of the military. He asked the chief minister, cabinet and Opposition to move ahead jointly.
OPPOSITION DEBATES BUDGET:
Adviser on Finance Khalid Langav moved 27 demands for a grant one by one before the House for approval. Of these 19 demands were for the current (non development) expenditures amounting to Rs 10.35 billion. Eight demands for grants worth Rs 15.74 billion were for development expenditures.
The Opposition had quite a few things to say about the budget. “Funds allocated for western Economic corridor in the federal budget are quite insufficient. It seems as if despite consensus of all the political parties there is plan to shift this project to some other direction. Balochistan Chief Minister should take up this situation with Federal government,” according to Leader of Opposition in Balochistan Assembly, and JUI-F Parliamentary leader, Maulana Abdul Wasay.
“Provincial budget 2015-16 is most failed budget of the provincial history,” he added while opening the debate on provincial budget 2015-16 in the house.
He said that there is a need for a party at the central level to resolve the problems in Balochistan. Nationalist parties that came into existence in the name of the Baloch and Pashtoon were becoming hated.
There was a need to set aside huge funds for the Gwadar-Kashgar Corridor, but the amount set aside in the federal budget was equal to nothing. He said that all the parties and the prime minister showed opened hatred for the western economic corridor. He said there is need for measures for the welfare and improvement of people.
Referring to the Balochistan budget, he said that the supplementary budget 2014-15 passed on Saturday was in fact it is presented when the CM spent money, which was much more than his powers. He said major allocation was made for law and order but no highway is secure nor security agencies. Had the Opposition and government played role about the tragic incident that took place in Mastung it may caused major damages. After the incident the PM convened the All Parties Conference, even though prior to this APC attacks were made to target political leaders.
