With focus on social sector uplift and development of neglected areas of the province, the PTI-led Punjab government is presenting its maiden budget for the year 2019-20 on Friday (today). Punjab finance minister Hashim Jawan Bakht will present the budget. Open debate on budget will start from Monday (June 17).
A meeting of the PTI parliamentary party was held here Thursday, which was attended by the provincial ministers including finance minister Hashim Jawan Bakht and MPAs. The meeting finalized strategy for the upcoming budget session.
Addressing the meeting of provincial parliamentary party, here on Thursday, the chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said, Punjab budget 2019-20 will span over a period of 12 months. "We are going to present the best budget despite difficult economic circumstances and it will also depict the party manifesto," he said, adding: "Our budget is meant for the common man and the journey of real development will start now."
He said that a huge amount is being allocated for an equal development program for Southern Punjab. The development of areas ignored in the past is being especially focused and the opinion of elected representatives has been given weight age in the preparation of the budget.
Addressing the meeting, the CM said, "I and other ministers will remain available in the assembly during the budget session and the assembly members will take an active part in the budget session." He said the provincial PTI government will present a public-friendly and balanced budget as special attention has been given to the betterment of the social sector. "Austerity is the hallmark of the PTI government and the budget will also depict this policy," he said, adding: "Reforms are being introduced in the health and education sectors."