ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led federal coalition government has launched extensive efforts to address the concerns of an important ally, the Pakistan People’s Party, a day ago in a rally by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He warned that if he did not support the approval of the budget. Promised funds for flood victims in Sindh have not been provided.
PMLN Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal clarified in a program on JEE News as well as at an event in Narowal on Sunday that every stage of the preparation of the federal budget and its approval by the National Economic Council (NEC) But the allies were consulted. 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.
Responding to Bilawal’s warning in a conversation with JEE News, the minister said that objections to the budget of the PPP-backed Sindh chief minister were removed by the economic team. He questioned that when the budget was approved by consensus in the meeting of the National Economic Council, why objection is being raised now. He said that the federal cabinet also approved the budget.
Ahsan Iqbal said that some funds were also increased in the budget on the demand of Chief Minister Murad, adding that Sindh was given the highest amount of Rs 80 billion for the flood victims. The Planning Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he is trying to take all the decisions by consensus with the allies. He said that the input of all allies has been included in the preparation of the budget.
A senior PMLN leader warned that opening a new front by the allies would only weaken the government and would not benefit any party.
Referring to Bilawal Bhutto’s speech in Swat, Ahsan Iqbal said that the allies’ criticism of each other will create uncertainty in the country and the ruling alliance cannot afford it at this stage. He said that whatever concerns the People’s Party has can be resolved through discussion in the cabinet meeting. He made it clear to the leadership of the People’s Party that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has always given importance to allies and has taken their opinion on all important matters.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi met former President and People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Zardari in Dubai, where he recently underwent an eye operation. According to sources, Naqvi left for Dubai three to four days ago and visited the former president. Sources say that the former president also discussed the concerns of the leaders of the People’s Party in the meeting. However, Caretaker Information Minister Punjab Aamir Mir said that he did not know about the meeting of Caretaker Chief Minister with Asif Zardari.
Meanwhile, sources said the leaders of PMLN and PPP will meet here on Monday (today) and discuss their differences on financial matters.
The meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and likely to be attended by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others, is being considered important as PPP leaders have been criticizing the recent budget allocation. The first meeting in this regard between the two political parties, which was also chaired by the Prime Minister, was held earlier this week, but the PPP chairman was unable to attend.
