PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Advisor Muzamil Aslam has strongly reacted to recent statements by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying that if there is truly self-reliance, then the Punjab government should immediately pay the Rs64 billion net profit arrears owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Muzamil Aslam said that even after 78 years, Murree does not have its own water supply and continues to draw water from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that the Punjab government keeps imitating the projects and policies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“If Maryam Nawaz is right that the Punjab government will not take loans, then when will the flood victims receive their relief money?” he asked.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provided compensation to flood victims within three weeks, while the Punjab government has not even been able to estimate the flood losses so far.
Criticising the manner in which the Punjab CM talks about Murree, Muzamil said that according to Maryam Nawaz, it feels as if Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not part of Pakistan in front of Murree.
He further stated that not a single brick has been laid on Murree Mall Road since the British era, while a Hilton Hotel has been constructed in Nathia Gali at a cost of Rs12 billion. Investors, he added, are now showing interest in building the country’s largest hotel in Thandiani.
Muzamil Aslam also shared tourism figures, saying that around one crore people visit Nathia Gali annually, compared to far fewer in Murree.
He even claimed that Nawaz Sharif chooses Nathia Gali over Murree for relaxation.
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