LAHORE: The PML-N demands at least a 10pc increase in salaries of the public servants in the budget that is being presented today (Monday).

“Not raising salaries of government functionaries, particularly lower-grade employees, is unacceptable for inflation is at its peak and health expenses have gone up manifold. In such a situation, depriving the government servants of a pay raise is unjust,” PML-N president and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif said in a statement here on Sunday.

He recalled that the PML-N government had been enhancing salaries and housing and other allowances each year during its tenure. He said the budget presented before the National Assembly didn’t reflect the country was passing through a recession as no economic stimulants had been proposed by the government.

“What are the measures to stimulate economic activities in the country? Where are the public sector development programmes and the steps that create employment opportunities to alleviate poverty?” He lamented that no mention was made in the budget about the much needed relief to the farming sector, facing 2pc reduction in growth.

“When the farmers will be offered relief, if not now?”

Separately, PML-N Punjab Information Secretary Azma Bokhari said the people had no hopes from the provincial budget being presented today (June 15) and the rich would be doled out funds like those in the federal budget. She said the government was attempting to hide behind Covid-19 after damaging the national economy through its ‘incompetent’ policies.

She chided the smart lockdown plans of the government for curtailing spread of the novel coronavirus, fearing the ‘poor’ planning might put thousands of lives at risk.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2020