LAHORE: Former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Friday said his provincial government allocated 35 per cent development budget for south Punjab, more than the past development funds.

“Ringfencing of the budget of the south Punjab was made, so that the funds could not be used for any other purpose. For the first time, a separate book regarding development programme of south Punjab was composed,” he said.

Usman Buzdar said his government allocated 32 per cent quota for employments of people of south Punjab. South Punjab was made financially and administratively autonomous, he said adding that by giving autonomy to the South Punjab Secretariat the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf government fulfilled its promise made to the masses.

Read more: Qureshi hopes opposition will help govt pass bill for creation of South Punjab

On March 7, Foreign Minister and Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi had expressed hope that the opposition would help the federal government in passing the bill for creation of south Punjab province.

“The PTI manifesto promises to create a separate province for the people of South Punjab. I am thankful to Imran Khan for he fulfilled long wish of the masses by expressing his full commitment to turn the dream of creation of South Punjab into reality through a historical announcement,” Shah Mahmood Qureshi had tweeted.