ISLAMABAD: The debate on budget continued in the Upper House of Parliament on Friday and the opposition benches criticised the government for presenting yet another ‘anti-people’ budget.
Some of the common arguments on Friday were about high debt, elite capture, and incentives for the corporate sector only. Bypassing of the Parliament, lack of relief to the poor, and higher petrol prices were also mentioned.
Lawmaker Muhammad Ayub voiced concerns over rising burden of debt on the country. He said, “we need to adopt austerity measures and focus on growth in order to develop the country.”
Lawmaker Mushtaq Ahmad said, “the budget was anti-people as it carried no relief for farmers, working class and the youth.” The JI senator also said that the budget was presented without the announcement of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He said the government should announce a mega development package for FATA, adding that all political parties should sit together and formulate a charter of economy aimed at taking the country forward on the path of sustainable development.
PML-N Senator Nuzhat Sadiq appreciated steps taken by the government for empowerment of women. She also enumerated the projects initiated by the government to overcome power shortage. She claimed that the government had presented a pro-people budget.
Lawmaker Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot opposed her and said the government had increased indirect taxes which would add to the woes of common man. He said the number of direct taxes should be increased to provide relief to the poor.
PPP Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio pointed out that good governance was vital to achieve targets set in the budget. He said that provinces should be further strengthened to address matters pertaining to internal security.
Senator Naseebullah Bazai said that the government should focus on the development of small provinces. He said such course of action was vital to ensure a strong federation. Khanzada Khan asked the government to withdraw the increase in petroleum development levy. “Otherwise, transportors will increase their fares and that will push up prices of essential commodities.” In the budget, he claimed that additional burden had been put on the poor. He said the government had not focused on education and health sectors. He said the government had no moral justification to present the budget. He criticised the government for announcing the tax amnesty scheme. “Nothing had been announced in the budget for the benefit of middle class,” he maintained.
Opposition Leader Senator Sherry Rehman urged the government to take action on the water crisis in the country. “We are already facing in a water crisis. We are running out of groundwater and if no action is taken now, we will end up having to ration water. I have constantly raised this issue in the House because the urgency of this situation cannot be stressed enough,” she said.
“The Senate needs to set up a water caucus immediately. This is not a matter for political point scoring. We must all come together to ensure that the next generation will have ample supply of water. It is our collective responsibility as elders and as parliamentarians,” Rehman concluded.
Speaking in the House, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb urged political institutions to stand together for freedom of media and expression. She regretted the scuffle between police and journalists at D Chowk, on Thursday. She said a committee had been constituted and its report will be presented before the House. Other members also condemned the incident and said that they stand for the freedom of media in the country.
Published in Daily Times, May 5th 2018.
