ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved Rs25 billion aid for flood victims to address concerns of a key government ally, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), sources said on Monday.
Sources said the allocation – expected to be included in the debt-driven budget – will be spent on rehabilitation of flood victims.
The PM pledged to allocate the money during a meeting with party leaders last week.
The PPP delegation included senior politicians Syed Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Syed Khurshid Shah, Qamar-ul-Zaman Kaira, Syed Murad Ali Shah and Nisar Khoro.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, it has been said that during the meeting, the leadership of the People’s Party appreciated the measures taken for public welfare in the budget despite the difficult economic conditions.
But a day later, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticized his allies and demanded that money be allocated for flood victims, or his party would not support the government’s budget, which is due to be passed this month. .
At a rally held in Swat on Saturday, Bilawal – who is also the foreign minister – complained to the prime minister about not fulfilling his promises in the budget.
Reacting to the foreign minister’s statement, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Measures Ahsan Iqbal advised to discuss the issue in the cabinet and avoid opening a new front.
Speaking to JEE News on Sunday, the minister said that the coalition partners were consulted at every stage of the preparation of the federal budget and its approval in the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.
He said that the federal budget for 2023-24 was presented in the National Assembly with the consent of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
To further address the issues, Prime Minister Shehbaz will chair a meeting today (Monday) to address the concerns of the PPP.
The meeting will be attended by FM as well as ministers and financial experts of both the parties.
Speaking to JEE News, senior PPP leader Nafeesa Shah said that the coalition parties have unanimously agreed to provide relief and rehabilitation to the flood victims.
“Bilawal talked about providing relief to the flood victims, who are still homeless,” he lamented.
