Opposition and Treasury benches exchange sharp remarks as day six debate continues in heated atmosphere
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly continued its sixth day of general debate on the provincial budget for the upcoming financial year on Saturday, with senior parliamentarians from both the government and opposition taking part in a charged and often heated discussion.
Provincial cabinet members defended the government’s performance, saying record development projects were carried out during the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regime.
Opposition members, however, rejected the claims, arguing that public hardship had increased during the 18 years of PPP rule. They urged the government to abandon confrontation and adopt a culture of dialogue in the broader interest of the province.
Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said the government was continuing its development agenda and hoped for stronger electoral support in the upcoming elections. He said hundreds of projects had been completed, with improvements to parks, roads and city services.
He said the solid waste management system had improved, with 15,000 tonnes of garbage collected daily, and added that carbon credit benefits were expected from ongoing reforms.
Meanwhile, opposition members have sharply criticized the provincial government, rejecting claims of record development and arguing that public hardship has increased over the past 18 years of PPP rule.
Speaking in the House, opposition lawmakers said the government’s talk of progress did not reflect ground realities and urged the Treasury benches to move away from confrontation and adopt a policy of dialogue in the broader interest of the province.
Opposition members said repeated claims of improved education, health and infrastructure were not backed up by results visible to ordinary citizens. They called for greater transparency in development spending and urged the government to focus on measurable improvements in public services.
The Sindh Assembly session was then adjourned till 10 am on Sunday.
