LAHORE: The PPP says the PTI government has presented another budget of the IMF as its policies caused 100pc increase in prices of essentials whereas salaries of the government employees have been raised only by 10pc.

PPP parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Hassan Murtaza challenged Prime Minister Imran Khan to receive just Rs20,000 salary, the minimum wage fixed for a worker, and show the people how to make budget for a household with this meagre amount. He said by increasing tax on phone calls, SMS and the internet, the government had overburdened the masses.

He regretted that the government made cars cheaper but kitchen items costlier through new taxation measures.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar congratulated the PM, finance minister and their team for presenting, what he termed, a balanced and public-friendly budget.

In a statement, the CM said the Imran-led economic team had announced long-lasting steps for the composite development in the country and the announcements made in the budget would further strengthen the economy.

Mr Buzdar said the opposition behaved in an uncivilised and undemocratic manner as it had nothing left to criticise.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2021