* Labour and manpower minister asks federal government to investigate embezzlement claims
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: A large proportion of Balochistan Assembly (BA) members criticised the previous as well as caretaker government during a post-budget session on Wednesday.
Members alleged the previous PML-Q and caretaker governments were involved in financial embezzlement and demanded an investigation of “their financial mismanagement”.
Lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) staged a walkout when Balochistan Labour and Manpower Minister Maulana Muhammad Sarwar called the PML-Q “the murderer league” and said it was responsible for the alleged mismanagement of funds.
Food Minister Ali Madad Jatak and Home Minister Mir Zafarullah Zehri managed to convince the PML-Q members to return to the House.
Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhuttani asked certain parts of Sarwar’s speech to be removed after Balochistan Industries Minister Syed Ehsan Shah asked Bhuttani to ensure members use ‘decent language’ on the floor of the House.
Sarwar continued, “We are a poor province but our rulers looted it in the past. Our provincial exchequer is empty today and we depend on the federal government’s grants. The Jam Yousaf-led provincial government looted that much in three months which can not be compensated in a year,” he said.
The minister said the provincial government could not launch new projects due to ongoing financial problems, adding “we are embarrassed before our voters because of our inability to launch new development schemes in our constituencies”.
Investigate: He asked the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government to carry out an investigation of “the multi-billion financial corruption during the previous government”.
He said it was regrettable that former chief minister Jam Yousuf was not being held accountable for alleged financial mismanagement.
Sarwar also suggested Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani restricts the provincial government’s expenses and direct its attention towards village development.
Fisheries Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi said Balochistan had to depend on federal grants for making its budget despite being a province rich in natural resources. “The budget has completely ignored the people affected by the military operation in Balochistan’s Marri and Bugti tribal areas.”
He said Balochistan was facing “two types of onslaughts perpetrated by the federal government: military operation and economic exploitation”.
“The centre is trying to weaken us on all fronts. Repeated military operations have destroyed the province. Balochistan is lagging behind in the health and education sectors,” he said.
He demanded the formation of a fund for the welfare of military operation affectees. Zahoor also welcomed Bhuttani’s announcement of the allocation of Rs 1 million to help conflict victims and said he would contribute a further Rs 1 million from his discretionary fund for the scheme.
Welcoming the present government’s move to make cadet colleges in ten districts of the province, he suggested the government make efforts to ensure that children of lower-income families also have access to education.
Forests Minister Maulvi Abdul Samad said Balochistan should give up “the culture of begging for financial assistance” from the federal government. “If we keep begging from the centre then it means that Balochistan is not a part of Pakistan. We must be treated with respect and equality if the centre considers Balochistan to be an equal federating unit,” he added.
MPA Shahida Rauf expressed her concern over the worsening law and order situation in Quetta, adding that it was unsafe for even a minister to travel on Quetta roads, and that all ethnic communities felt insecure.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008 626story_26-6-2008_pg7_17 |
