Peshawar:
The opposition parties in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assembly have directly rejected the provincial budget for fiscal year 2025–26, expressing deep reservations about their substance. In marked contrast, the members of the Government praised the budget, hosting it as the “best in the history of the province.”
The opposition leader, Dr. Ibadullah, speaking on the floor of the Chamber, criticized the budget by highlighting the great dependence of the Province of External Fuentes.
“Only seven percent of the province’s income are generated internally, while 93 percent depend on federal transfers and loans,” he said.
“Government expenses represent 99 percent, while developing spending is only 1 percent. This is the 12th and probably the last budget of the PTI rule.”
He criticized the government of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) for not completely using the Annual Development Program (ADP) funds during its 12-year rule. “There is a lot of activity on social networks, but the reality in the field is that the province lies in ruins,” he added.
Dr. Ibadullah also made references to international and regional policy, praising the army for his response to Indian aggression and expressing solidarity with Iran.
When addressing development allocations, he said: “Although RS538 billion has been allocated to development, this is not a surplus budget as stated. The figures are misleading and the public is being deceived.”
He pointed out the provincial debt that shot from RS166 billion during the ANP era to RS800 billion under PTI, ascending to an increase of 600 percent.
He asked for failures in emblematic projects such as the rapid bus traffic (BRT) and raised accusations of corruption related to Tsunami scandals of Kohistan, Malam Jabba and one billion trees.
“RS31 billion have been recovered from Kohistan’s scam only due to speech efforts,” he said.
He also regretted the General State of Education and Medical Care in the province, saying that 30 percent of schools lack basic facilities and a large percentage of students fight with basic subjects such as Urdu and Mathematics.
In higher education, he accused the universities of mass hiring and the lack of research production, while stating that 60 percent of basic health units (BHU) are not functional.
“Health cards are being politicized and hospitals are in a serious state. Tell us a positive achievement,” he demanded.
