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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P Opposition rejects budget, cites failures
Opposition parties in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have outright rejected the provincial budget for the fiscal year 202526, expressing deep reservations over its substance. In stark contrast, government members lauded the budget, hailing it as the "best in the province's history." Leader of the Opposition, Dr Ibadullah, speaking on the floor of the House, criticized the budget by highlighting the province's heavy reliance on external sources. "Only seven per cent of the province's revenue is internally generated, while 93 per cent depends on federal transfers and loans," he said. "Government expenditures make up 99 per cent while development spending is only 1 per cent. This is the 12th and likely the last budget of PTI's rule." He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for failing to fully utilize Annual Development Program (ADP) funds during its 12-year rule. "There's a lot of activity on social media, but the reality on the ground is that the province lies in ruins," he added. Dr Ibadullah also made references to international and regional politics, praising the army for its response to Indian aggression and expressing solidarity with Iran. Addressing the development allocations, he noted: "Though Rs538 billion has been earmarked for development, this is not a surplus budget as claimed. The figures are misleading, and the public is being deceived." He pointed out the provincial debt ballooning from Rs166 billion during the ANP era to Rs800 billion under PTI, amounting to a 600 per cent increase. He called out failures in flagship projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and raised corruption allegations related to the Kohistan, Malam Jabba, and Billion Tree Tsunami scandals. "Rs31 billion have been recovered from the Kohistan scam alone due to the Speaker's efforts," he claimed. He also lamented the overall state of education and healthcare in the province, saying that 30 per cent of schools lack basic facilities and a large percentage of students struggle with basic subjects like Urdu and mathematics. In higher education, he accused universities of mass hiring and lack of research output, while also claiming that 60 per cent of Basic Health Units (BHUs) are non-functional. "Health cards are being politicized, and hospitals are in a dire state. Tell us one positive achievement," he demanded.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs40b Kohistan scandal: investigators 'complicit'
Leader of the Opposition in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Dr. Ibadullah, has alleged that individuals investigating the massive Rs40 billion financial scandal in Kohistan are themselves involved in the corruption. He further claimed that the province's Chief Executive remains unaware of the situation. Addressing an emergency press conference at the provincial assembly, Dr Ibadullah stated, "In this province, not even a peon can be transferred without money changing hands. Yet the Chief Executive claims ignorance of a scandal worth billions." He further alleged that the very individuals tasked with investigating the scandal are themselves complicit in the corruption. Ibadullah was accompanied by MPA Sajjadullah of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), who also represents Kohistan. The opposition leader drew comparisons with the 2014 Panama Papers controversy, noting, "At that time, PTI leaders raised a storm over Rs3 billion. Now, under their own government, Rs40 billion has vanished in just six years." He questioned the potential use of the embezzled funds, suggesting, "Was this money used to fund the Islamabad march, the May 9 agitation, or opposition to the Army Chief's appointment?" He directly accused the province's Chief Executive of involvement in the scandal, criticizing his silence on the issue. "Those in PTI who once couldn't afford a rickshaw now own commercial plots worth billions in Islamabad," he claimed. He praised the Speaker of the Assembly for referring the Kohistan scandal to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for investigation, but called it an example of institutional failure. He pointed to the involvement of the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, the Accountant General's office, and the Finance Department.
