Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq while terming the budget as historic, has said that traditions of the past seven decades have been broken in the current budget

 Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq while terming the budget as historic, has said that traditions of the past seven decades have been broken in the current budget.While addressing the Legislative Assembly after approving the budget for the next financial year, the PM thanked the federal government for providing sufficient funds. He also appreciated the national security institutions’ pivotal role in the economic revival of the country.Terming the current budget as the biggest ever budget in the history of Azad Kashmir, the PM while highlighting the effective use of the budget said that the liberated territory could be transformed into a well-developed region provided the money allocated in the budget was spent and utilized in a proficient manner. He said that the process of sector-wise distribution of the budget will start in the first week of next month (July).Regarding the increase in salaries and pensions of government employees, the PM said that the official notification will be issued soon after the government receives the required funds from the federal government.In his address, the PM lauded the role of the judiciary in running the government system efficiently. He said that High courts have lent their full support to the government in its efforts to stop encroachment, milk adulteration and deforestation in the state.He said that providing good governance in the liberated territory (AJK) would rekindle the candle of hope on the other side of the Line of Control. Referring to Kashmiris’ commitment to the noble cause, the PM said that no amount of oppression and oppression can snatch away the dream of hope and freedom from the Kashmiri people.Expressing his profound grief over the Greece boat disaster that claimed hundreds of innocent lives, the PM said that he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident. “Those involved in this illicit trade (human traffic) will be strictly dealt with as per the law of the land”, he said.The PM said that he was also grateful to the allies as well as opposition parties for their full cooperation and participating in the budget session.“Disagreement is the beauty of democracy, the honourable members of the house sitting on both sides of the aisle deserve praise for their role in ensuring political harmony”, the PM said adding as the leader of the house he would try his level best to serve the state and its people.The PM said that his government would cover the 24 billion budget deficit provided he enjoyed the confidence of the House. “God willing, this deficit will not be seen in June next year”, he said, adding that the government’s main focus was to increase revenue.He said that it was not an easy task to govern people with different ideas. “I shall try to serve the state in a better way”, the PM said.He said that the government would try to provide free electricity up to 300 units to the mosques. He said that the government would fulfill its obligations regarding the establishment of Rehmatul lilalameen (SAW) authority.He said the government would implement the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee. Stressing the need for across board accountability, he said, “A society is bound to perish where corruption and corrupt practices are given constitutional protection”, he said.Terming the Thirteenth Amendment as a great achievement, he said that we must learn to give credit where it is due.The PM also appreciated the senior minister Waqar Noor and Faisal Mumtaz Rathore for their valuable contribution to the budget preparation.The PM said that he fully takes ownership of increasing privileges of the former prime ministers in the budget. He said the reforms will be brought in the next few days. “If any action is in the interest of the state, it must be appreciated”, he said, adding that the government was responsible for every penny being collected from the taxes.The Accountability process, he said, will start with the Prime Minister. “After that members of the cabinet and bureaucrats have to present themselves for accountability”, he added.
“Access to information is the right of every citizen, any journalist or civil society member can get records from any office”, the PM said adding that the Prime Minister’s Office was open in case there was any problem