Federal govt, provinces at odds over development budget for next fiscal year

ISLAMABAD – Differences between the federal government and provincial government on Tuesday evening took a bitter turn during the meeting of National Economic Council (NEC) prompting walkout by chief ministers of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan. The trio accused federation of distributing uplift funds on a political basis. As per details garnered, KPK Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak accused centre of only awarding development funds to its allies while ignoring lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Later addressing a joint press conference with CMs of KPK and Balochistan, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah asserted that issuance of uplift funds would be unconstitutional as quorum had been broken. “Federation is awarding a huge share of uplift funds to Punjab.” Shah further alleged—during the meeting—it was told to them [read CMs of KPK, Balochistan and Sindh] that their approval was not necessary and that the prime minister wanted to ‘forcefully’ get an approval. KPK CM stated that there was no need to call the meeting if the aim of government was to get approval for the project of their choice. On the other hand, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Professor Ahsan Iqbal categorically dismissed allegations while accusing Sindh govt of spending the exorbitant amount in Nawabshah.