PESHAWAR, June 29: The NWFP Assembly on Thursday approved all the 49 demands for grants of over Rs21.583 billion to meet the additional expenditure projected in revised estimates of various departments in the supplementary budget for 2005-06.

Except two young members, Qazi Mohammad Asad of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and Israrullah Khan Gandapur of the Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao), all opposition MPAs withdrew their cut motions submitted against the exorbitant expenditure.

Qazi Asad pointed out that the general administration department had spent Rs3.1 million on gifts and entertainment and sought another Rs2.8 million for fuel. He said such expenditures were a burden on the poor province.

Responding to the mover, Finance Minister Sirajul Haq said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government had taken several austerity measures and reduced its expenditure.

Mr Gandapur said there was a difference of Rs190 million in the amount spent (Rs12,265 million) by the revenue and estate department in the wake of the earthquake last year and the amount sought (Rs12,455 million) by the minister concerned.

Revenue Minister Maulana Ismatullah said: “We mobilised our entire strength and sent officials from other districts to Hazara to compile the data of losses.

The revenue staff had to use vehicles and spend a huge amount to meet the fuel requirements.”

The members withdrew their motions and approved the demands.

Later, on the request of Speaker Bakhat Jehan Khan all movers withdrew their cut motions and allow him to get the demands approved one by one.

The house through a unanimous resolution called upon the centre to withdraw cases against Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, a former speaker of the National Assembly, and other detained MNAs and release them forthwith.