LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered more fund allocation for the development of social sector and asserted that available resources should be utilised for public welfare and the promotion of health and education sectors.

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting to review Annual Development Programme for 2019-2020 and budget proposals here on Wednesday. Finance minister Hashim Jawan Bakhat, CM’s advisor Dr Salman Shah, chief secretary, Board of Revenue senior member, P&D chairman also attended the meeting.

Mr Buzdar said the upcoming budget should reflect people’s aspirations and should be designed keeping in view the basic necessities of life.

Pledges record spending on agriculture

He regretted the agriculture sector was ignored by the previous government and the farmers remained hostage to an exploitative system. On the contrary, he said, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government protected the farmers’ rights.

He said the wheat and sugarcane growers had been given full reward for their hard work. “The agriculture sector is an important part of our budgetary priorities,” he said.

The chief minister said record funds would be allocated for the agriculture sector and more resources would be provided for the welfare of the people by curtailing unnecessary expenditures.

He said the public-private partnership would be promoted to encourage investment and added that an increase in resources was need of the hour for the projects aimed at national reconstruction.

Proposals regarding enhancing resources for provision of basic amenities to the poor on priority basis were also discussed.

Earlier, a briefing was given on budgetary proposals for 2019-20 ADP and increase in resources.

GOVERNOR: Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has said the federal government has rightly decided to legislate for handing down death sentence to child molesters, adding the decision would help protect children from the enemies of society.

He was speaking at an iftaar dinner hosted for law and medical professionals on Wednesday. Representatives of Insaaf Lawyer’s Forum, doctors organisations and legal practitioners attended the event.

The governor said no one would be spared of accountability on the pretext that the democracy was under a threat.

He said the accountability should not be regarded as a conspiracy, instead it would strengthen democracy and parliament.

He said the opposition’s demand that they should not be held accountable for their crimes against the country could not be accepted. Those criticising armed forces and other security institutions could not be the well-wishers of this nation, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2019