People in KP still lack basic facilities despite PTI’s tall claims: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has no performance to present before the public, which is why its speeches begin and end with its leader.

She said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had allocated only Rs100,000 per project for 189 development schemes and merely Rs10,000 per project for another 177 schemes, raising serious questions about its commitment to development.

Azma Bokhari said that despite PTI’s claims of bringing change, people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa still lack basic facilities, and in some areas residents are forced to cross rivers using makeshift cable cradles.

She further stated that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had achieved what many believed was impossible, and that today their leadership and role are being acknowledged by the international community and global media.

While speaking to the media alongside Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Azma said the recent global tensions had developed into a situation resembling a worldwide crisis; however, Pakistan’s leadership played a significant role in preventing greater instability through wisdom, effective diplomacy and strategic engagement.

The Information Minister expressed hope that recent agreements would prove durable and contributes to peace and stability both in the region and across the world.

Referring to the ongoing Punjab Assembly budget session, she said it was an important stage for public service and development planning. She regretted that instead of engaging in meaningful debate on the budget, the opposition remained focused on social media propaganda and political rhetoric.

Azma Bokhari said opposition speeches were largely based on political point-scoring and emotional narratives, while serious discussion on public issues was often limited to only a few minutes. She added that if previous governments had launched significant public welfare initiatives, they would certainly be highlighting them today.

She said the current Punjab government had introduced major initiatives in agriculture, health, education, livestock and other sectors, delivering tangible benefits to the people. She added that programmes such as the “Suthra Punjab Programme,” educational scholarships and the laptop scheme were benefiting citizens across the province without discrimination.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, record investments and practical reforms had been introduced in the agriculture and livestock sectors.

He said that the agriculture and livestock budget, which stood at Rs42 billion in 2021-22, had increased to Rs116 billion in the current fiscal year. During the previous fiscal year, 98 percent of the agriculture budget and 93 percent of livestock funds were utilized.

Kirmani said Rs8 billion was provided for the rehabilitation of 700,000 acres of flood-affected farmland, while wheat growers received Rs15 billion, in financial assistance. He added that 30,000 Green Tractors had already been provided on subsidy and another 20,000 tractors would be distributed.

Under the Kissan Card programme, farmers were provided Rs250 billion in interest-free loans, while an additional Rs200 billion will be allocated during the current fiscal year.

To combat smog, 5,000 Super Seeders were distributed, contributing to a reduction of up to 70 percent in smog-related impacts. A further 20,000 Super Seeders will be provided next year.

The government has established four Agri Malls, where agricultural inputs worth Rs4 billion were sold, while 10 additional Agri Malls are being set up.

In the livestock sector, 400,000 animals were fattened, 10,000 animals were distributed among widowed women, and artificial insemination services were provided to 800,000 animals. He further noted that citrus exports worth USD53 million were achieved during the previous year.

Responding to questions, Azma Bokhari said Nawaz Sharif’s legacy does not depend on his image appearing on a currency note. His name, she said, is permanently associated with Pakistan’s major development projects, nuclear achievements, motorway network and overall national progress.

She said the Punjab government remains focused on strengthening its own revenue resources and improving financial management. All development projects are progressing according to plan, and there is no proposal to impose cuts on key initiatives. She expressed confidence that by December the province’s revenue position would further improve.

Azma Bokhari said the opposition continued to rely on outdated and unrealistic calculations, while the government’s vision was to ensure uniform development across Punjab. She said projects such as electric buses, “Apni Chahat Apna Ghar,” and other welfare initiatives were being implemented throughout the province rather than being restricted to specific regions.

She said the positive impact of government initiatives was evident and widely appreciated by the public, while some elements continued to spread negative propaganda for political point-scoring.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026