LAHORE, June 14: Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat claimed on Saturday that the opposition had boycotted the session without any reason and acting only on the direction of its central leadership to sabotage the system.

“The government had accepted all demands put by the opposition, but the latter violated the agreement of showing decency and following parliamentary norms during the budget session,” he said at a press conference after the presentation of the provincial budget by the finance minister.

Replying to a question, Mr Basharat said the government reserved the right to review its opposition-friendly policy if it continued to follow negative thinking and block the development process in the province. “So far we have not taken any decision in this regard,” he explained.

He said the government had adopted a positive attitude during the session requisitioned by the opposition two days ago and accepted all its demands. The opposition had been protesting on the demand of funds under the Tameer-i-Punjab programme which the government agreed to give. It also promised that no action would be taken against those facing recently registered cases.

“They had agreed to follow parliamentary norms during the budget session and listen to the budget speech, but on Friday they announced that they would adopt a course of action dictated by their central leadership. They have acted as puppets,” the minister said.

He regretted that whenever the government took steps for people, the opposition decided to stay away.