So called empathisers of farmers went to ECP against Kissan Package: PM
Despite hardships, government announced an unprecedented Kissan Package of 341 billion rupees: PM
JHANG (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) government is working for welfare of farmers while those who claimed to be well-wishers of farmers, went to Election Commission against Kissan Package. He was addressing cheques distribution ceremony under the Kissan Package in Jhang, reported Dunya News.
The PM said that despite hardships, government has announced an unprecedented Kissan Package of three hundred and forty-one billion rupees. He said that they are doing politics of values and national interest is their priority instead of personal gains.
PM criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as well and said that PTI’s empathy is limited to chanting slogans and false promises. He said that PML-N had to go to High Court to restore Kissan Package which was stopped by anti-farmers efforts of PTI.
He assured that government will facilitate and support the farmers and would not leave them alone at the times of need. The PM said that PML-N Government believes in politics of public service rather than for any negative cause. He said that government s Kissan Package was objected by some opponents but it was legally supported by the Supreme Court, so that we could serve the farmer community speedily.
Earlier PM Nawaz Sharif has announced to construct Gilgit-Skardu Expressway at a cost of fifty billion rupees while addressing a ceremony in Gilgit today. He said that the express way will be connected with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for generation of economic activities in the area.
PM Nawaz Sharif also distributed cheques among the earthquake affected people of Ghizer and Diamer. Mir Ghazanfar Ali takes oath as Governor Gilgit-Baltistan while Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan took oath as Governor Gilgit-Baltistan in Gilgit.
Also read: Kissan Package only for farmers relief, federation clarifies ECP
Federation on Thursday has clarified the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the Kissan package was announced for the relief of impoverished farmers only and has no connection with local bodies elections.
The hearing, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), was conducted in Islamabad during which Attorney General Salman Aslam representing federation and Health Secretary from government appeared before the division bench.
The federal government counsel elucidated that Prime Minister (PM) Kissan Package worth Rs341 billion is only for the welfare of farmers. He claimed that the relief package was suspended without hearing the Ministry of Finance which is against the Constitution.
He further complained that the respondent had failed to notice ‘relief’ in the Kissan Package, which had also been granted by the previous governments and must not be treated as a special case.
Subsequently, ECP adjourned the hearing till November 11.
Earlier, ECP stopped implementation of Kissan package over violation of the election code. A petition was submitted in the IHC stating that the package cannot be approved without permission of the National Assembly.
Petitioner Shahid Orakzai argued that introduction of a supplementary budget is mandatory for this package. There is no room for payment of such huge amount without the supplementary budget. He requested the court to immediately bar payment of this package.
Meanwhile, Justice Athar Minallah directed the registrar office to remove objections on the petition and set date for hearing of the petition.
It is pertinent to mention here that the opposition parties have also rejected the relief package for farmers, terming it pre-poll rigging ahead of the local government elections.
