Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan has come out openly against the 18th Constitutional Amendment and NFC Award when his Federal government did not help the provincial governments on Coronavirus. “Amidst this testing time and difficult circumstances, Sindh was given Rs229 billion less from its due share as Punjab and other provinces also got lesser shares.Addressing a press conference at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House, Karachi, he said that all the political parties have unanimously rejected the federal fiscal budget and vowed that we will not allow our hospitals and healthcare facilities to be snatched at the hands of an incompetent PTI-led Federal government.Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the federal government did not provide any assistance to the provincial governments on Coronavirus and the Federal budget was presented as if Coronavirus was not a problem and a thing of past. “People had a thought that the Federal government’s budget would be in line with aims and plans to amicably deal with all the emerging challenges but it disappointed and since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Federal government is creating controversies and confusions.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it was hoped that there would be a health package for all provinces but the government was making development projects that would bring political benefits to PTI. They showed a lack of seriousness in dealing with Coronavirus and locusts.
He said that the entire focus of the Federal government and the state should be on the epidemic to save the lives of the people but our misfortune is that the PTI government is not sincere in saving the lives of the people in this situation. It has also failed in building a national consensus against this epidemic, he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the political parties of the country have rejected the budget presented in the face of a pandemic and sadly, nothing has been done in this budget to deal with it, nor any challenge to eradicate the locust. Even though the money was set aside, we were expecting the government to provide a special package to deal with the epidemic at the provincial level, but it was not given. “Unfortunately, the Rs70 billion set aside for pandemic are in fact the funds provided PTI lawmakers to build roads and sewerages and attain political points,” he added.
The PPP Chairman further said that we have been asking this government for two years to set aside money for health, water, employment and other projects but it did not happen which is an irresponsible thinking. Not only it, but provinces’ money from the NFC has been reduced and Sindh has been given Rs299 billion less and Punjab Rs400 billion less. The present government has not given any relief nor has it taken any steps to revive the economy. The elderly, the middle class, the poor, everyone is worried, and everyone is realising that the Federal government has completely failed to provide health and economic protection. The budget does not provide any plan, including the Benazir Income Support Programme, to curb the current outbreak during the economic situation that has arisen.
Replying to a question, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he himself was a supporter of the Provincial Finance Commission, and wanted every district and division to get its full right, it can be implemented only if the provinces get full share from the NFC and its constructive benefits reach down the lane.
He said that the health workers are fighting on the frontline and the Sindh government has given them all possible help and will continue to do so adding that he has directed the Sindh CM to give top priority to these frontline workers and in practice you may have seen this happening in Sindh. In ongoing difficult situation, Sindh increased the salaries and pensions of government employees, I am proud that Sindh supported those who worked despite the difficulties, a large part of the budget has been allocated in the health sector.
He said that the Federal government has taken over three of our hospitals during the outbreak, which has severely damaged the ongoing efforts of the Sindh government. “I have been saying before and then I repeat that show one NICVD style hospital all over Pakistan, or where the PTI government has been for a long time.” The national statistics clearly show that most of the new hospitals were built in Sindh during our tenure, most of the hospitals were also upgraded in Sindh, including the three hospitals which have been snatched from the Sindh government. “Take a look at Federal government’s budget for them which makes it clear who is serious about improving the condition of hospitals,” he added.
In reply to another, he said that there have been only U-Turns on every utterances on the part of Imran Khan and the present government should be reminded again as it has dealt with the outbreak and the economic situation in a non-serious way. “From day one, we suspected that the PM was against the 18th Amendment and the NFC Award, as well as the 1973 Constitution. At first, he opposed it privately, but now he is openly opposing the 1973 Constitution,” he added stressing that PTI allies should secede from the government after the PM’s position on the constitution came to light.
Asked about Akhtar Mengal, he said that Akhtar Mengal has taken a good step for the rights of his province and hoped that he would stand by his decision.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was asked that during his visit, the PM accepted the invitation of a Wadera in Larkana instead of offering condolences to the families of those killed in the PIA plane crash; he said that the PM did not come on CM’s request but a contractor and his visit to Larkana was not political but non-political, where he was given a banquet.
He said that the entire focus of the Federal government and the state should be on the epidemic to save the lives of the people but our misfortune is that the PTI government is not sincere in saving the lives of the people in this situation. It has also failed in building a national consensus against this epidemic, he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the political parties of the country have rejected the budget presented in the face of a pandemic and sadly, nothing has been done in this budget to deal with it, nor any challenge to eradicate the locust. Even though the money was set aside, we were expecting the government to provide a special package to deal with the epidemic at the provincial level, but it was not given. “Unfortunately, the Rs70 billion set aside for pandemic are in fact the funds provided PTI lawmakers to build roads and sewerages and attain political points,” he added.
The PPP Chairman further said that we have been asking this government for two years to set aside money for health, water, employment and other projects but it did not happen which is an irresponsible thinking. Not only it, but provinces’ money from the NFC has been reduced and Sindh has been given Rs299 billion less and Punjab Rs400 billion less. The present government has not given any relief nor has it taken any steps to revive the economy. The elderly, the middle class, the poor, everyone is worried, and everyone is realising that the Federal government has completely failed to provide health and economic protection. The budget does not provide any plan, including the Benazir Income Support Programme, to curb the current outbreak during the economic situation that has arisen.
Replying to a question, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he himself was a supporter of the Provincial Finance Commission, and wanted every district and division to get its full right, it can be implemented only if the provinces get full share from the NFC and its constructive benefits reach down the lane.
He said that the health workers are fighting on the frontline and the Sindh government has given them all possible help and will continue to do so adding that he has directed the Sindh CM to give top priority to these frontline workers and in practice you may have seen this happening in Sindh. In ongoing difficult situation, Sindh increased the salaries and pensions of government employees, I am proud that Sindh supported those who worked despite the difficulties, a large part of the budget has been allocated in the health sector.
He said that the Federal government has taken over three of our hospitals during the outbreak, which has severely damaged the ongoing efforts of the Sindh government. “I have been saying before and then I repeat that show one NICVD style hospital all over Pakistan, or where the PTI government has been for a long time.” The national statistics clearly show that most of the new hospitals were built in Sindh during our tenure, most of the hospitals were also upgraded in Sindh, including the three hospitals which have been snatched from the Sindh government. “Take a look at Federal government’s budget for them which makes it clear who is serious about improving the condition of hospitals,” he added.
In reply to another, he said that there have been only U-Turns on every utterances on the part of Imran Khan and the present government should be reminded again as it has dealt with the outbreak and the economic situation in a non-serious way. “From day one, we suspected that the PM was against the 18th Amendment and the NFC Award, as well as the 1973 Constitution. At first, he opposed it privately, but now he is openly opposing the 1973 Constitution,” he added stressing that PTI allies should secede from the government after the PM’s position on the constitution came to light.
Asked about Akhtar Mengal, he said that Akhtar Mengal has taken a good step for the rights of his province and hoped that he would stand by his decision.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was asked that during his visit, the PM accepted the invitation of a Wadera in Larkana instead of offering condolences to the families of those killed in the PIA plane crash; he said that the PM did not come on CM’s request but a contractor and his visit to Larkana was not political but non-political, where he was given a banquet.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was asked if he would go to court against the decision on the NFC award, he said that the Leader of the Opposition is currently in isolation due to Coronavirus. After his recovery, all political parties will take up the matter and after consultation, a joint strategy will be adopted for which all options, including the court, are available.
Replying to another regarding Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the issue of surveillance of a judge has come to light in the case of Faez Isa which is a very serious matter.
He said that PPP believes that corruption exists at every level and serious efforts should be made to eradicate it, but unfortunately the aim of the present government is not to eradicate corruption but to inflict political revenge on its political opponents in the name of corruption.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out that current locust attack is the biggest in 25 years and Sindh government has been appealing to the Federal government for a year to take the matter seriously but this issue has been ignored and no help was extended to farmers by Federal government while the provincial governments are trying to deal with it on their own.
The Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Sindh government was investigating the terrorist incidents and action would be taken against the accused involved in the attack on paramilitary Rangers.
Replying to another regarding Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the issue of surveillance of a judge has come to light in the case of Faez Isa which is a very serious matter.
He said that PPP believes that corruption exists at every level and serious efforts should be made to eradicate it, but unfortunately the aim of the present government is not to eradicate corruption but to inflict political revenge on its political opponents in the name of corruption.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out that current locust attack is the biggest in 25 years and Sindh government has been appealing to the Federal government for a year to take the matter seriously but this issue has been ignored and no help was extended to farmers by Federal government while the provincial governments are trying to deal with it on their own.
The Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Sindh government was investigating the terrorist incidents and action would be taken against the accused involved in the attack on paramilitary Rangers.
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