Lawmakers across parties slam KP’s Rs121bn budget

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly saw sharp criticism of the provincial government’s Rs121 billion supplementary budget on Sunday, with opposition members as well as some treasury lawmakers questioning both the spending and the way the measure was brought before the house.

Lawmakers argued that the supplementary grants reflected overspending in the previous financial year and described the move as a sign of weak financial management. Several members also said the Finance Department had adjusted figures to mask shortcomings, and demanded a detailed audit of the additional allocations. Some called for the matter to be referred to the relevant committees, saying such scrutiny was common in other countries.

Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Ahmad Kundi strongly objected to the process used for the budget’s approval. He said the Constitution required expenditure to be authorised before money was spent, but alleged the government was doing the opposite and then seeking formal approval from the assembly afterward.