KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session currently underway to discuss the provincial budget for the financial year 2024-25 on Friday was overwhelmed by 71st birth anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto when members from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party before sharing their thoughts on the financial proposals for the next fiscal took time to pay tribute to their slain leader as her daughter Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari witnessed the proceedings from the visitor’s gallery.

The house passed a resolution to pay tribute to the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world on her 71st birth anniversary.

The resolution was presented by senior PPP leader and its Sindh chapter president Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

Opposition, treasury join hands to pass unanimous resolution tabled by PPP-Sindh president Nisar Khuhro

Mr Khuhro sought permission from Speaker Awais Qadir Shah before presenting the resolution, which was passed by the House.

The resolution said: “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was a champion of democracy who inspired generations with her courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to the people of Pakistan, and as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan, she brought the country peace, progress, and development. Her leadership includes improving education, health, and empowering women.

“Shaheed Benazir Bhutto promoted tolerance, dialogue, and peace and made efforts to rid the nation of the scourge of terrorism, and her mission was to establish a democratic system and an egalitarian society. Democracy is established in the country due to her martyrdom and her sacrifices.

“This House, on the occasion of 71st birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, reiterates its commitment to carry forward her vision for a progressive and prosperous Pakistan as her legacy lives under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is continuing her mission.”

Speaking on the resolution, Nisar Khuhro said Benazir Bhutto was a great leader who gave her life for the country; she went to jails and faced hardships like her father when she was in Sukkur Jail. “At that time, Fazil Rahu sent ice to her because of the heat, but she refused. She said we have the courage to bear the heat.”

When the resolution put to vote, the opposition and treasury benches unanimously adopted it.

Budget debate continues

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed independent MPA from Hyderabad Muhammad Rehan Rajput referred to the chief minister’s budget speech which highlighted “brilliant performance” of Sindh Revenue Board and questioned the “poor” financial status and fiscal space of the province.

“Despite collecting huge revenue and meeting targets, why the Sindh Board of Revenue is not sharing 20 per cent of its collection as defined in the law with the urban administration. Where all this money is going?” he said.

Makhdoom Fakhar uz Zaman of the PPP while appreciating the increase in education budget pointed out that a project to convert several primary schools into middle schools was still pending which required urgent attention of authorities.

He also regretted delay in completion of Makhdoom Muhammad Zaman Talibul Moula Medical College in Hala which was founded in 2017 and the same status of Bhit Shah High School.

While most of the PPP members continued to praise the budget allocations as “historic, people-friendly and true reflection of the party’s manifesto”, the opposition members from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) kept their focus on issues mainly faced by urban areas and water shortages and hours-long loadshedding.

Jamal Siddiqi referred to situation in his constituency of Khawaj Ajmair Nagri and said that water supply had been suspended while areas in North Karachi received supply only for a few hours after nine days.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2024