Provide the much-needed relief to people in budget: Shazia Marri
Islamabad(Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government acceded on Sunday to all the demands put forward by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over governance issues in Punjab and Budget 2024-25.
The decision was made during a meeting between the negotiation committees of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP held in Islamabad.
The PPP had aired its grievances regarding the distribution of development funds and administrative appointments in Punjab, which the government has now agreed to address.
The breakthrough came after an intense negotiation session attended by key figures from both parties. The PPP delegation included Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Ali Haider Gilani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Hasan Murtaza, while the PML-N was represented by Malik Ahmed Khan, Rana Sanaullah, and Khawaja Saad Rafique, among others.
The discussions aimed to resolve ongoing issues and ensure the smooth passage of the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan, speaking to the media, highlighted the concerns in Punjab, including capacity issues and local body elections. He emphasized the PPP’s commitment to non-revengeful governance and effective administration in the province.
The resolution of these issues is critical for the coalition government, especially with the budget session underway. PPP’s participation in the budget session, previously marred by a boycott, signals a positive shift.
This cooperation is vital for the PML-N-led coalition, which cannot afford to lose PPP’s support for the budget approval and other legislative processes due to a fragmented mandate from the recent elections.
Sources said that the PPP’s chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is expected to address the assembly to discuss the budget details, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif likely to attend.
PPP Reverses Decision to Boycott Budget Session after Talks With Govt
Despite these agreements, underlying tensions remain. The PML-N has previously accused the PPP of leveraging critical moments for undue gains, a sentiment echoed during the 20-month tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) before the caretaker setup took charge.
Punjab to consult PPP for district officers’ appointment.
The sources said the PML-N has accepted PPP’s demands regarding district administrations, appointment of law officers, representation in various boards and authorities, early holding of local bodies election, distribution of development funds equal to PML-N lawmakers.
The PPP has demanded appointment of an additional secretary in the chief minister secretariat whose job would be to resolve the issues faced by the party only, they said.
The Punjab government would appoint district deputy commissioners, district police officers and revenue officers in consultation with the PPP in the areas where the political party has a significant support, the sources said.
Sources said 12 such districts were pointed out including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi and Rajanpur. The PPP would be consulted in appointment of a district officer in these areas, the sources added.
On the other hand, the PPP offered to appoint district officers of PML-N’s choice in Sindh areas despite the ruling party not having a representation there.
“The PPP delegation will present a report about all their discussion to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tomorrow and the PML-N delegation will present its report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” they said.
They said if they agreed, then a written agreement would be signed following which it would be implemented.
While,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and MNA Shazia Marri has said don’t facilitate the PPP in the budget but provide the much need relief to the people.
Speaking in the National Assembly, she said there were hopes that the people would be provided relief.
“We were not taken on-board in budget-making,” she said.
The provinces were doing good and they should be allowed to discharge their duties, she added, saying issues would never be resolved if everyone would be saying that all was good.
She highlighted the opposition was silent on the incidents in Sargodha and Swat which was worrisome.
Marri stated the PPP had reservations on budget, especially on developmental projects.
The MNA stated the finance minister should be corrected and the salaried class should not be removed.
“The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should go after the non-taxpayers. Increasing petroleum levy is increasing burden on commoners,” Marri concluded.
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