KARACHI: PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in a tweet on Tuesday termed the budget for fiscal year 2016 - 17 as one which would break the federation, and rejected what he termed as a "one unit budget for Punjabistan."

Senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman also rejected the budget and said the budget was "made by PM of Punjab."

The PPP leader added her speech during the budget debate will elaborate more on the subject.

Provincial minister Sharmila Farooqi, defending Bilawal's statement, said the PPP has always stood for the federation and does not differentiate between the provinces.

"We would like an equal share for all provinces, the incumbent government only cares for Punjab," said Farooqi.

Replying to a question, Farooqi said the PPP chairperson's statement will not alienate the party's supporters in Punjab as "we are gaining our position in Punjab."

"Bilawal has done wonders for the PPP in Punjab."

She also questioned why there was no mention of the Rs600bn circular debt in the budget.

The budget presented by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on June 3 had an outlay of 43.9 trillion, with opposition parties rejecting the budget.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Friday had opened the budget session in place of the finance minister, and had questioned its legality in the absence of constitutionally mandated National Finance Commission (NFC) which he said was a clear violation of Article 160 of the Constitution.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...