GILGIT (KPN): Finance Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar has revealed that finance department secretary had been in Islamabad for the last three months while he was powerless to ask him to what extent he (secretary) had not been returning Gilgit-Baltistan to assume his duty.
Speaking on the floor of Legislative Assembly during its session, Mohammad Ali Akhtar said: “Chief secretary keeps all powers with himself so how such problems can be resolved by the government.”
He further said he did not know about funds had been spent on internal security; however, an amount of Rs520 million could not be provided for this purpose by the government without approving budget.
“Every officer has his/her own powers and has personal vehicles receiving amount in term of vehicles’ rent from the government,” he added while calling for implementation of Rules of Business in letter and spirit.
He said the local government had received Rs5 billion from centre but despite that it was facing shortfall of Rs3 billion. He said finance secretary would brief assembly members about it on his return from Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary Wazir Shakil Ahmad, who is minister for law, said: “There was no financial crisis in past. Former president Pervez Mushrraf’s era was good from financial resources point of view.” He said budget had not been used in a proper way by the government.
About federal government, he said they were not meeting their expectations which they had had from the centre while Chief Minister Mehdi Shah wanted to bring federal officers according to his wish but his demand had not been fulfilled. He said newly-appointed chief secretary, inspector general of police and interior secretary were not familiar with affairs of the region and it would take time to get orientation on.
He also said the government keeping in view past terrorists’ attacks on passengers’ buses on the Karakoram Highway had appointed about 417 security personnel with a cost of 80 million. These personnel are also provided with 35 new security vehicles by the government, he added.
He said Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) had planned to appoint 1400 Scouts personnel for security of Daimer-Basha dam but it had not been done so far. The government cannot give permission of starting work on the dam in this critical time, he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) member Mirza Hussain, in his debate, said: “We are part of the government but we have not been taken on board on decisions by it.” He said the government should take peace issue seriously and consult all stakeholders on it.
Speaking on the floor of Legislative Assembly during its session, Mohammad Ali Akhtar said: “Chief secretary keeps all powers with himself so how such problems can be resolved by the government.”
He further said he did not know about funds had been spent on internal security; however, an amount of Rs520 million could not be provided for this purpose by the government without approving budget.
“Every officer has his/her own powers and has personal vehicles receiving amount in term of vehicles’ rent from the government,” he added while calling for implementation of Rules of Business in letter and spirit.
He said the local government had received Rs5 billion from centre but despite that it was facing shortfall of Rs3 billion. He said finance secretary would brief assembly members about it on his return from Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary Wazir Shakil Ahmad, who is minister for law, said: “There was no financial crisis in past. Former president Pervez Mushrraf’s era was good from financial resources point of view.” He said budget had not been used in a proper way by the government.
About federal government, he said they were not meeting their expectations which they had had from the centre while Chief Minister Mehdi Shah wanted to bring federal officers according to his wish but his demand had not been fulfilled. He said newly-appointed chief secretary, inspector general of police and interior secretary were not familiar with affairs of the region and it would take time to get orientation on.
He also said the government keeping in view past terrorists’ attacks on passengers’ buses on the Karakoram Highway had appointed about 417 security personnel with a cost of 80 million. These personnel are also provided with 35 new security vehicles by the government, he added.
He said Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) had planned to appoint 1400 Scouts personnel for security of Daimer-Basha dam but it had not been done so far. The government cannot give permission of starting work on the dam in this critical time, he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) member Mirza Hussain, in his debate, said: “We are part of the government but we have not been taken on board on decisions by it.” He said the government should take peace issue seriously and consult all stakeholders on it.
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