[:en]By Asim Shahzad
LAHOREA: A training workshop regarding the budget session for government and opposition members of the assembly was organized in the old chamber of the Punjab Assembly.
The training workshop was organized by the European Union’s program Mustehkam Parlimaan.
The purpose of the training workshop is to brief the members of the assembly on the rules and regulations of the assembly, budget planning, and the systematic process of budget formation prior to the budget session.
In the workshop, members were informed about the constitutional provisions related to the budget-making process. Dr. Hafeez Pasha, an economist, and Acting Team Leader Dr. Parvez Abbas briefed the members of the assembly on behalf of Mustehkam Parlimaan.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that the primary purpose of today’s workshop is to train new members on assembly rules and regulations so that the budget approval process can be facilitated.
Acting Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, while appreciating Mustehkam Parlimaan’s efforts in organizing the training workshop, said that it is essential to equip legislators with knowledge for effective participation in budget discussions.
“Acting Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan further stated that insightful questions during the budget discussion will help address many deficiencies present in the budget.”
He said, “I am confident that in this budget, Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif will increase allocations for various sectors, especially health and education.” He further stated, “We will provide employment opportunities to reduce the poverty rate and ensure that basic amenities reach people’s doorsteps.” In the training workshop, members emphasized initiatives to revive industries. Economist Dr. Hafeez Pasha presented the Economic Charter in the training workshop. At this occasion, Hafeez Pasha said that without strengthening the tax policy, economic conditions cannot improve in Punjab.
In the training workshop, the following officials from the Punjab Assembly were present: Secretary General Ch. Amer Habib, Director General (PA&R) Khalid Mahmood, Additional Secretary (Admn) Malik Khalil Ahmad, Additional Secretary (Legislation) Ali Hussnain Bhalli, Advisor to the Speaker Usama Khawar Ghuman, Staff Officer Amad Hussain Bhalli, Public Relations Officer Rao Majid Ali, and from the European Union’s program Mustehkam Parlimaan, Acting Team Leader Dr. Parvez Abbas, Expert Aizaz Asif, and Provincial Coordinator Faisal Maalik Buttar.[:]