[:en]Our Correspondent
LAHORE: General Secretary Pakistan Peoples Party Hassan Murtaza on Monday expressed his party’s disappointment and frustration with the government’s handling of the budget process.

While addressing a press conference along with PPP MPA Neelam Jabbar Chaudhry said that for the first time, the government did not take its allies into confidence before presenting the budget, a move that he deemed a violation of trust. PPP leaders Ahsan Rizvi, Zeeshan Shami and Hassan Ashraf Bhatti were present on the occasion.
Murtaza criticized government for not taking in to confidence included labour representatives in the budget making process.
He said government is in confusion adding that PPP is only supporting the government only to save the country from economic crisis.
However, Murtaza expressed disappointment with the N-League, stating that no class, including journalists, is satisfied with the government’s performance.
Murtaza highlighted the plight of farmers, who are arrested by police when they protest, and questioned why the government has not paid the dues of sugarcane farmers.
He also asked why the sugar mafia is not being held accountable. He also questioned why traders are not asked by the government who are involved in tax evasion.
The People’s Party leader demanded a relief program for salaried class and pensioners, which he said was absent from the government’s budget proposal.
While responding to a question Hassan Murtaza said that Peoples Party is standing with the journalist community on the issue of Defamation Bill. He said no member of the party was present in the House when the bill was passed.
He said government don’t consult with PPP before presenting the bill in the House.
The People’s Party has decided to stand with the government despite knowing that that they will loose political support. “We had high expectations from Maryam Nawaz that she would take the province forward according to her father’s vision.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives following the fall of a tourist vehicle into the Neelum River.
In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP conveyed his deep shock upon hearing the news of the accident in Neelum Valley. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for their strength during this difficult time. “I share the grief of the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May Allah Almighty grant them patience,” he said.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also emphasized the urgent need to deploy all available resources to rescue the tourists who are still missing as a result of the incident. He further stressed the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, noting that every road accident is a stark reminder of our national duty to follow traffic rules diligently.[:]
