KARACHI, June 16: Opposition parties have rejected the Sindh budget for fiscal 2006-07, terming it a “bundle of lies and fudged figures” and based on “contradictions”. Central additional information sectary PML (N) Sardar Abdur Rahim was critical for the Sindh budget and termed it “disappointing and nightmarish.” The worst fears of the people that the budget will not give them any relief had come true, he said adding that the so-called insensitive to the salaried class was a mere eyewash.

Ameer Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi Dr Meraj ul Huda termed the budget as routine and merciless. He said the government had failed to announce job oriented and poverty alleviation programme.

Information Secretary of the Pakistan People’s Party (Sindh chapter) Dr Fehmida Mirza, MNA, said the provincial budget was a fraud with the people of Sindh because it was prepared without the NFC award.

She said even with the much trumpeted unconstitutional NFC amendment, Sindh was getting 18 per cent less than what it would have got if late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s award was in effect and 72 per cent less than what the people of Sindh wanted through the unanimous resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly in 2003.

The MNA said the Sindh government had indulged in excessive non-developmental expenditure which took away much needed funds from development projects.

She said rampant unemployment, growing poverty and law and order should have been the top priorities of the government.

Dr Mirza said the nation had demonstrated unity at the time of earthquake but the rulers were trying to divide the people by raising issue of Kalabagh Dam.

Dr Fehmida Mirza said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement should take stand on its budget demands, which it had submitted to the government.

PPP MPA from Lyari Nasreen Chandio said the budget was anti-people as it contained no relief for common man.