ISLAMABAD, Jun 21 (APP): The lawmakers from both sides of treasury and opposition benches in the National Assembly on Monday showed enthusiasm and actively participated in the budget debate.
Resuming the budget debate, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said it was an honor for him to open the debate on June 21 that had great significance for his party as it was the day of birth anniversary of two-time former prime minister Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, whose family rendered great sacrifices for the cause of democracy.
He said legislation in the National Assembly should be done keeping in view the well-being of the public without indulging in the number game as it would help ensure a conducive environment in the House.
The MNA questioned about the reasons behind the increased inflation and financial hardships of the common man, if the all economic indicators were moving in the right direction.
Raja said the prices of essential items including flour, ghee and sugar had witnessed increase during the last three years, and stressed the need for taking necessary measures to ensure national food security.
He asked the government to make collective efforts for mitigating sufferings of the downtrodden segments of the society with the introduction of economic policies accordingly.
He said the government should explore ways and means to hold debate on the legislation passed ‘in haste’ on June 10 to pave the way for free, fair and transparent elections in future.
Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan said the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had abolished more than 134 Renewable Energy (RE) projects of 4,000 Megawatt (MW) to make a quick buck through the‘LNG train,’ creating opportunities for loot and plunder of the national wealth.
He said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government after coming into power revived all these projects and brought a new RE policy, under which inexpensive electricity was being produced.
He said the PML-N government gave the solar projects’ tariff of Rs 23-24 per unit, which the incumbent government brought down to Rs 6.5 per unit within the period of one year.
Before completing its five-year tenure, the minister said the previous government planted ‘landmines’ for the next government by deteriorating all institutions and collapsing the national economy.
He quoted official reports of the Planning Commission and media publications of February 2018, the last year of the PML-N government in power, which showed the previous government had failed to deliver in all sectors, and the national economy totally collapsed due to its wrong policies.
“Private investment also fell far below the target of 16.7 percent despite the bonanza of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor project. While, imports remained far higher than the target of restricting to $31.1 million,” he read from one the reports.
Omar Ayub said the PTI government inherited a $20 billion current account deficit from the previous government that also failed in controlling the fiscal deficit.
Mian Javed Latif of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) while taking part in the debate said all issues could only be addressed through following the constitution in letter and spirit.
Minister for State of Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that the government had allocated over Rs 14 billion to cope with the effects of climate change in the country.
She said the whole nation rendered supreme sacrifices in war against terrorism. She said 83,000 innocent Pakistan lost their lives in the war and suffered billions of dollars financial lose.
She said they were proud of their leader Imran Khan who refused to talk to US officials. Our leader boldly told US anchor that Pakistan would not provide any base to US, she said.
She said Imran Khan was the only leader who marched against the US drone attacks in 2013.
She said the government would provide interest free loans to farmers and small business for the first time in the country history.
The minister said the budget would bring revolution in the lives of masses.
The government has made huge allocation in the budget for provision of free Coronavirus vaccination to the people, she added.
She said the past governments protected timber and land mafies during their tenures that carried out massive deforestation in the country.
However, the minister said a bill, She said under 10 billion tree plantation programme, one billion trees had already been planted and remaining target would be achieved within due time.
The minister also appreciated the Punjab Chief Minister for announcing poor friendly budget.
She said PTI would fulfill its promise made during elections to give right of vote to overseas Pakistani as they sent huge remittances. Those elements were opposing the idea to give right of vote to the overseas Pakistani whose leaders had fled the country, she said.
Amir Haider Khan Hoti of Awami National Party (ANP) said that National Finance Commission (NFC) award should be given as per the constitution.
He said net profit share of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was not being given to the province.
He demanded that a Jirga should be convened to settle the issues of NFC and net hydel profit.
He said commitment was made that 3 per cent would be provided from divisible pool for the development of merged districts of erstwhile FATA but it was not yet honored.
Amir Hoti said that no allocation was made for agri schemes in Malakand and Mardan Division in the budget.
The people of the areas could not get water with out building water channels, he added.
He said feasibility of Chashma Right Bank Canal could not be completed for the last 15 years adding the project would help utilize our water share.
Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi on Monday said that the JB Morgan declared Pakistan as the best country for investment due to prudent policies of the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Taking part in the budget debate in the National Assembly, he said the government had initiated several programs for the masses of the country including Ehsas Program, Kamyab Programme, Naya Pakistan Housing program and others.
Criticizing the Sindh government, he said the Sindh government had not conducted Provincial Financial Commission Award for last 14 years.
The minister hailed the federal budget 2021-22, saying the main focus had been put on income generation, productivity and exports.
The minister said multiple measures had been suggested in the next budget to provide relief to the common people and to put the country on a path of development.
He said Port Qasim contributed Rs 8 billion as tax to the national exchequer. He said gas sector had totally been deregulated.
Participating in the debate, JUI-F member Shahida Akhtar Ali said the affluent class should be brought into the tax net. She said special emphasis should be given to enhance the export of halal food.
Taking part in the debate, Ehsanullah Reki thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar to include the Nakundi- Mashkhel-Panjgur Road Project in China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He said the project would not only create employment opportunities for the people of the area but also open new avenues for the investors.
Ehsanullah Reki urged the government for announcing special package for the poor people of Balochistan so that their grievances would be addressed.
Pakistan Peoples Party leader Dr Nafeesa Shah said paying electricity bills had become difficult for the people. She said the levy on petroleum goods should be withdrawn to facilitate the common people of the country.
PTI MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique appreciated the health card scheme of the government and said that poor were being provided the best health facilities through the program.
He said that 200 bedded hospital had been set up with a total cost Rs 5.25 billion which would be inaugurated soon. New block had been set up with a total of cost of Rs 500 million at Benazir Bhutto Hospital while Railway hospital had been also upgraded with a total cost Rs. 500 million, he maintained.
Sheikh Rashid Shafique said that agriculturists were being paid loan during this tenure ranging from Rs 100,000 to Rs 5 million.
He said that overseas Pakistanis were playing crucial role in strengthening the economy of the country and sending remittances. He demanded to give voting right to overseas Pakistanis.
PML-N lawmaker Ibadullah Khan said that ruling party had been defeated in the bye-elections as the people did not support them. He said the country made a significant progress during previous tenure while various projects were inaugurated benefitting the people.
MQMP lawmaker Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani demanded the Chair to run the House as per rules of procedure and conduct of business and condemned the ruckus in the House during previous sittings. He said that Sindh including its urban areas has been ignored by those ruling there for more than one decade.
He demanded to give people their basic rights and give quota to the students of Karachi in educational institutions of the province. He said that NFC award should be given to the provinces when it announces PFC.
PTI MNA Riaz Fityana appreciated the incumbent government for presenting people friendly budget. He demanded reforms in education sector and to upgrade the institutions. He asked to revisit the criteria for appoint of judges.
Taking part in the budget debate, Dr Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla of PTI said that it was Pakistan-Friendly budget as many incentives were given to all sectors including agriculture, industries and business community.
He appreciated the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab for setting up university in Bhakkar besides other development projects for the district.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali of Muttahida Majlis e Amal Pakistan (MMAP) said that no fund allocated for upper Chitral in the annual Public Sector Development Programme.
He said although some amount was allocated for setting up Chitral University but it was not sufficient to start the varsity.
He said land has already been acquired for setting up the university but classes could not be started so far.
He said 10 per cent increase in salaries and pensions for the employees was very meager and it should be enhanced to 20 per cent.
Prince Muhammad Nawaz Allai of PTI said appreciated the government for presenting people-friendly budget. He called for allocating more funds for the uplift of his constituencies.
Murtaza Javed Abbasi of PML-N said that the government has failed to give respite to the masses from inflation.
Javed Abbasi demanded an imposition of ban on rehiring of retired employees as they were main hurdles in employment of youth.
He also called for giving honorarium to the employees of various departments deputed during the budget session.
Zahid Akram Durrani of MMAP said around 62 per cent population of the country was directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture sector.
He alleged that visible allocation was made for the agriculture sector in the budget.
He said keeping in view the rising inflation, 50 per cent raise in salaries of the government employees should be given.
Nusrat Wahid of PTI said that the government announced poor friendly budget despite various challenges.
She said despite financial constraints and COVID-19 pandemic, 10 per cent raise was given in salaries and pension of the government employees.
Ramesh Lal of PPPP said that no fund was allocated for the development of minority in the budget. He demanded that special funds should be given to the minority members for the development of minority community.
Saira Bano of Grand Democratic Party (GDA) while taking part in the debate said that relief was given to business and industrialist communities in the budget.
Dr Darshan of PML-N termed the budget anti-people as relief was given to only elite class in it.
He demanded of the chair to issue production orders of all detained members including Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Syed Khursheed Shah.
Muhammad Shabbir Qureshi of PTI appreciated the government for giving people-friendly budget. He said that relief was given to all segments of the society in the budget.
He said the world economy had shrunken due to COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the whole world appreciated the policies adopted by Pakistan during the pandemic.
He said record relief package worth Rs 1200 billion was given to the people during the COVID-19.
He said all financial indicators showed that the country economy was booming. Record revenue was collected during the current fiscal year showing 17 per cent growth, he added.
He said the government inherited $ 19.8 billion current account deficit which was now in surplus.
He said the government has launched mega dam projects after lapses of over five decades in order to ensure water security.
Aliya Kamran of MMAP and other members also took part in the budget debate.