QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly passed Rs287.018 billion budget for the financial year 2016-17 without any opposition on Saturday.

Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri tabled 55 demands for grants in the session presided over by Speaker Raheela Hameed Durrani.

Opposition leader Maulana Abdul Wasey and members of the opposition parties were present in the house but they did not move a single cut motion on the demands for grants.

Earlier in their budget speeches, opposition members had criticised the provincial government for ignoring different sectors.

Under the budget, Rs71.182bn has been allocated for the Annual Development Programme and Rs215.836bn for non-development expenditure.

Of the 55 demands for grants moved by the chief minister, nine seek Rs71.182bn for development expenditure and the remaining 46 Rs215.863bn for non-development expenditure.

All demands for grants were approved within 25 minutes.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2016