The budget debate in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Sunday took a heated turn as Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah strongly criticized the provincial government, describing the budget as a “deception” and accusing it of presenting misleading facts.
Opposition Leader's Accusations
Addressing the assembly session, Dr Ibadullah said that while political differences are inevitable, budget-making should not be sacrificed for political expediency. He maintained that the current budget does not reflect the actual financial situation of the province.
Questioning the Chief Minister’s claim that the province had been given the largest development programme in its history, the opposition leader argued that official figures indicate otherwise. According to him, the Provincial Annual Development Programme (ADP) has fallen to one of its lowest levels despite government claims of record development spending.
Decline in Development Budget
Dr Ibadullah said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s development budget stood at Rs319 billion in 2013, but has now declined to approximately Rs202 billion. He noted that the same political party has governed the province for the past 13 years, yet significant improvements in development and public welfare remain elusive.
Political Stance and Federal Matters
The opposition leader further said that opposition parties had supported the government on issues concerning the province’s rights, regardless of political affiliations. However, he alleged that government representatives adopt one stance within the province and pursue a different approach when dealing with matters at the federal level.
Ongoing Debate
The budget debate is expected to continue in the coming days, as both government and opposition members present their views on the province’s fiscal priorities and development plans.
