KARACHI, June 23: Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Friday wound up the general discussion on the provincial budget 2007-08 and appreciated the opposition for playing its due role which, he said, helped the assembly complete its tenure.

He also avoided reacting to the strong criticism of the budget from the opposition members or responding to the objections raised by them. Rather, he conceded that his government had failed to ensure utlisation of budgetary allocations and elimination of corruption.

A total 34 members took part in the debate on Saturday and 19 of them were from the opposition benches. Leader of the Opposition Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Murad Ali Shah, Najaf Abro, Shazia Marri, Mehreen Bhutto and Nasrullah Shaji pointed out the flaws in the budget and the government policies, and said that the government had failed to deliver on all accounts, including law and order, employment and good governance.

From the treasury sides, Irfanullah Khan Marwat , Nadir Akmal Leghari, Mohammad Hussain, Shoaib Bokhari, Iftikhar Chaudhry, Qamar Mansoor, Nuzhat Pathan and others defended the budget and policies.

Winding up the discussion, Dr Arbab noted that it was for the first time in the history of province that a government was presenting its fifth budget and the assembly was about to complete its term.

He explained the government’s view on the NFC Award and stressed the need for a culture of tolerance and a healthy relationship between the government and the opposition. He also recounted the government’s achievements during its tenure and made mention of massive development work, establishment of many industries and the measures for the uplift of Sindh people. Referring to power crisis, he said it was because of the plastic money, though partly the failure of the new KESC management.

He defended the Jirga system, saying that it was just like the Panchayat system in India and proved successful in settling disputes between members of different communities, tribes and clans.

Earlier, Syed Sardar Ahmad responded to the criticism of the budget from opposition members and defended the government for going without the new NFC Award while making the budget.

He gave a detailed background in this regard and made presentations showing documents relating to the PPP government of 1974 and even to the 1945 era of Ghulam Mohammad.

He said that the Sindh government had received new proposals vis-a-vis the NFC and had sent its comments to the federal authorities.