ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leader and Member of the National Assembly Chaudhry Hussain Elahi has launched a sharp attack on the Punjab government, accusing it of withholding Rs3 billion in development funds allocated to his constituency and of concentrating spending on Lahore at the expense of the rest of the province.
Speaking at a public gathering in Gujrat, the lawmaker directed his criticism at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led provincial government, alleging that its development priorities were largely confined to the provincial capital while other districts continued to struggle for infrastructure funding.
Questions Over Spending Priorities
Hussain Elahi questioned why the provincial government was financing the reconstruction of roads in Lahore while claiming it lacked the resources to fund development projects elsewhere in Punjab.
He alleged that roads already built in Lahore were being dug up and rebuilt, whereas constituencies outside the provincial capital were not receiving the financial support needed to carry out public welfare schemes.
The PML-Q leader also challenged the government’s decision to purchase an aircraft reportedly worth Rs11 billion, asking whether buying the plane took precedence over providing funds for development work in public constituencies.
Funds ‘Withheld’ From Constituency
According to Hussain Elahi, the Rs3 billion earmarked for development projects in his constituency had been withheld, leaving planned initiatives without the necessary financial resources.
His remarks add to a growing debate over the Punjab government’s development spending priorities and the distribution of funds among elected representatives across the province.
Legal Action Threatened
Referring to a recent statement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz about taking Salik Hussain to court, Chaudhry Hussain Elahi said he would take the entire provincial government to court over the condition of roads and the lack of funds for their rehabilitation.
He indicated that legal action would be pursued to press for the restoration and improvement of roads in his constituency.
Comparison With Previous Government
The PML-Q lawmaker also compared development spending under the current Punjab administration with that during the tenure of former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.
He claimed that the amount of development funding currently spent by National Assembly members from the ruling party was comparable to what local councillors used to spend during Parvez Elahi’s tenure as chief minister.
