Islamabad, June 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):National Assembly resumed its session at the parliament house in Islamabad on Saturday with Presiding Officer Amjad Ali Khan in the chair. The National Assembly is continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year. Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid, in his budget speech, said that all the political parties should sit together for electoral reforms while keeping their bitterness aside. He said the political parties should also discuss the regional security situation. He said eighty eight percent work on the fencing of the border with Afghanistan has been completed whilst the remaining work will be completed soon.

The Interior Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan has made utmost efforts to take the economic situation towards improvement. He said it goes to the credit of the Prime Minister for launching work on Dasu and Diamer Basha Dams projects. He said the projects will not only irrigate our land but also provide cheap electricity.

About his ministry, Sheikh Rashid said we are introducing e-passports whilst online visas are now being issued. He said NADRA offices will be established at every tehsil headquarters to facilitate the people. Participating in the debate, Abdul Qadir Patel said the growth figures presented by the government for different sectors of the economy are not based on facts. He was critical of the government’s policies saying these have resulted in inflation and unemployment.

Niaz Ahmad Jakhar said it is the first time that a tax free budget has been presented. He said utmost effort has been made in the budget to provide relief to the masses. He said it is also unprecedented that interest free loans will be given to the downtrodden segments of the society. He said the government has put the economy on sound footing and the situation will further improve in the days to come. Khurram Dastagir said there is significant increase in the prices of essential commodities including flour, sugar, pulses and ghee under the present government. He said there will be further inflation as a result of the new budget.

Shehryar Khan Afridi said Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken the initiatives to protect the vulnerable segments of the society. He said the budget 2021-22 is for the common man. He said it envisages a proposal to impart technical training to the individuals of poor households. He said it is the present government which took on mafias in different sectors. He said Pakistan today is open and the global perception about the country stands changed now. He said the economy is improving with Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessing historic trading.

Mohsin Dawar said the minimum wage of twenty thousand rupees announced in the budget is not sufficient and this should be reviewed. He said promises made for the development of tribal districts should be fulfilled.

Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz appreciated the government’s finance team for presenting a pro people budget amidst the difficult situation posed by Covid-19. He said relief has been given to different sectors including the farmers and the industrialists in the budget. Nawabzada Iftekhar Ahmed Khan Babar demanded the government to establish a university in Muzaffargarh district. He also called for enhancing allocations for the health and education sectors. Shaheen Naz Saifullah said Prime Minister Imran Khan is an honest person who has raised a strong voice against corruption. She commended the steps being taken for the promotion of tourism.

Sajid Mehdi said research should be promoted and subsidies be given to the farmers on fertilizers to bolster the agriculture productivity. Rukhsana Naveed said the PTI government is making sincere efforts to uplift the economy and improve the country’s image. He said despite Covid, the economy registered a growth of about four percent during the current fiscal year. He said the budget for next fiscal year contains measures to improve the living standards of the people.

Khurshid Ahmad Junejo said the budget provides no relief to the low income groups but only to the affluent class. Mehboob Shah appreciated the government for focusing on the development of backward areas. He regretted that these areas were neglected by previous governments. Zahra Wadood said the PTI government has failed to fulfil its promises for construction of houses and provision of employment.

Rana Muhammad Qasim said government’s initiatives to uplift the weaker segments of the society are appreciable. He said incentives given to the IT sector will help bolster the country’s exports. He proposed the salaries of employees and pensions should be further enhanced. Ghulam Ali Talpur asked the government to significantly enhance allocations for the agriculture sector, saying this will help bolster the country’s exports. He said the construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway should be prioritized.

Fazal Muhammad Khan said Sehat Insaaf card is an important initiative of the government but suggested that the medicines should also be provided free of cost to those holding these cards. Nadeem Abbass said the PTI government has failed to fulfil the promises it made with the people before the elections. Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari demanded the government to launch a strict operation against dacoits in Rajanpur. Salahuddin Ayubi said work on dualization of Chaman-Karachi road should be immediately started, saying this project possesses great significance for trade activity.

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