Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly approves Rs1,456 billion budget for 2023-24

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has given the green light to a budget of Rs1,456 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24, covering an 11-month period. This decision was made during an assembly session presided over by Speaker Bbar Saleem Swati, where all demands for grants were approved. Ministers presented requests for grants for their respective departments, leading to the withdrawal of opposition's cut motions at the treasury benches' request. The budget was eventually passed after the speaker sanctioned all 66 demands for grants.

Discussions during the session involved members from both the treasury and opposition sides. Notably, Sobia Shahid of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani expressed concerns about the vandalism incident on May 9. Shahid stressed the importance of taking action against those responsible for damaging monuments and setting fire to the Radio Pakistan building on that day. On the other hand, Ghani called for a judicial inquiry to distinguish between facts and fiction regarding the incident. However, both members withdrew their cut motions after receiving assurances from the law minister that opposition demands would be taken into account during the budget revision process.

The approval of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year marks a significant milestone for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The constructive discussions and resolutions reached during the session demonstrate a commitment to addressing key issues and ensuring transparency in governance. Moving forward, the implementation of the approved budget will play a crucial role in driving development and meeting the needs of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.