Fawad Chaudhry Demands Disclosure of Which Account Will Pay Rs 60 Million for Maryam Nawaz’s London Expenses

Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) — National Dialogue Committee leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that Maryam Nawaz’s private visit to London on a government plane cost over Rs 60 million, and no receipt for the expenditure will be provided by Uzma Bukhari.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad along with Mehmood Molvi, Fawad Chaudhry said that oil prices have increased by Rs 119 since February 26.

He said the government has taken electricity to Rs 1,100 billion, paid Rs 1,800 billion in capacity payments, and is paying Rs 6 trillion in taxes, including capacity payments and other items. Fawad Chaudhry said that with taxpayers’ money, planes are now being acquired beyond vehicles, and separate planes have been acquired in Punjab for the Chief Minister and the Senior Minister.

He said Maryam Nawaz went to London on a government plane, and the private visit cost over Rs 60 million. Uzma Bukhari says Maryam paid the amount from her own pocket. The National Dialogue Committee leader also said that he asked Uzma Bukhari for a receipt of the payment, which will also not be provided. The President of the country and the Interior Minister also remain on tours using government planes.

Fawad Chaudhry said that petrol prices have risen by Rs 25 in five days, while poverty in Punjab has increased by 41 percent.

He said it is being claimed that Maryam Nawaz’s London visit cost approximately Rs 60 million. The receipt for the claim that Maryam Nawaz paid the expenses of her London visit personally should be brought before the public. Poverty in Punjab has increased by 41 percent, and more than 23 percent of Punjab’s population is unable to earn even Rs 8,000 per month.

He said the food security situation in Pakistan is extremely worrying. Without the transfer of political, administrative, and financial powers to the grassroots level, Pakistan’s governance cannot improve. The creation of new provinces is a fundamental administrative reform, which requires serious discussion and practical steps. The procedure for creating new provinces can be determined while maintaining identity. Without political, administrative, and financial devolution, the governance problem in Pakistan will not be solved.

Fawad Chaudhry said that since January 26, petrol prices have increased by approximately Rs 119. The government cannot use only the Middle East situation as justification for the increase in petroleum prices. The effects of the increase in petrol prices are falling on Pakistan’s industry, agriculture, and every sector. Since February, electricity prices have increased by more than 28 percent. The government has already announced a further 10 percent increase in electricity prices in the next three months. If the price of a commercial electricity unit reaches Rs 140, how will the economy run?

He said the government is recovering the cost of its incompetence from the common man by placing the burden of taxes on the people. The government is collecting approximately Rs 2,000 billion in taxes under petroleum levy, and billions of rupees in taxes are also being collected from the people through electricity and gas. Despite Rs 1,800 billion in capacity payments, load-shedding is occurring across Pakistan. The cost of running the federal government has reached Rs 750 billion.

The former federal minister said the government’s unnecessary expenditures and the burden of taxes are being transferred to the people. Fawad Chaudhry said that instead of bearing the burden of government extravagance, relief must be given to the common man. The reckless use of government resources has pushed Pakistan’s economy to the brink of destruction, and rulers are using government resources and planes even for private trips.

He said real devolution is not possible without transferring powers and resources to local government. Making the debate on new provinces controversial and prolonging it will affect the reform process. The debate on the creation of new provinces needs to be taken toward practical steps.