PESHAWAR: Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur launched a blistering critique of his own party's provincial budget on Sunday, warning that several development projects were so underfunded they would not be completed even in a century, and cautioning that lawmakers would ultimately bear the political cost.
Gandapur's Budget Criticism
Speaking during the budget debate in the K-P Assembly, Gandapur said the province's development throw-forward had reached an unsustainable level. He cited the Khushal Hazara project as an example of schemes unlikely to be completed for decades. Gandapur pointed out that projects worth millions of rupees had been allocated only a few thousand rupees, adding that such schemes would become "a noose around the necks" of members of the provincial assembly.
Impact on Lawmakers and Projects
The former chief minister emphasized that the inadequate funding would lead to severe delays, making it impossible to finish many initiatives within the foreseeable future. He warned that the political fallout would be felt by PTI lawmakers, who would face public anger over unmet promises.
Gandapur's remarks highlight growing internal dissent within the PTI over fiscal priorities, as the party struggles to balance development needs with limited resources. The budget, presented by the PTI-led government, has faced criticism from opposition parties as well, but the criticism from within the party ranks is particularly significant.
