Armed forces, people rendered immense sacrifices for revival of peace in country, NA told

Armed forces, people rendered immense sacrifices for revival of peace in country, NA told

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly is continuing discussion on the budgetary proposals for the next fiscal year.

Participating in the debate, Defense Minister Khurram Dastagir said the armed forces and the people have rendered immense sacrifices for revival of peace in the country.

He said the present government has also completed projects such as Neelum Jhelum, Lowari Tunnel and Kachi Canal, which were facing delays over the last many decades.

The defense minister said Pakistan over the last five years has also improved relations with Russia and the Central Asian Countries. Nawab Wassan said the country can be taken forward on the path of development by strengthening democracy and parliament.

Dr Shireen Mazari of PTI said her party will unveil a plan in the next few days as to how Kashmir dispute can be resolved keeping in view the UNSC resolutions. She said Pakistan should condemn the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal as by doing so Washington has violated the international treaty.

Ramesh Lal said the federal government did not initiate any scheme for the welfare of minorities. Sabiha Nazir appreciated the steps taken by the government to overcome power shortages.

Sheikh Salahuddin said indirect taxes should be reduced in order to provide relief to the common man.

Aliya Kamran said continuation of democratic setup is imperative to address the challenges faced by the country.

Amirullah Marwat said focus should be laid on the development of less developed areas.

Asyia Naaz Tanoli proposed that funds of Pakistan Baitul Maal should be further enhanced so that the grievances of the poor lot could be addressed.

Abdul Sattar Bachani said water reservoirs should be built to overcome water shortages.

Participating in the budget debate, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the government should extend maximum relief to the farmers.

Tahira Aurangzeb said it is the first time that incentives have been announced in the budget for the film industry which will help produce quality films in the country.

Rafique Ahmad Jamali voiced concerns over prolonged power outages in Sindh province.

Amir Dogar said the prices of essential commodities will shoot up as a result of this budget.

Kiran Haider said an oil refinery is being set up in Hub, Balochistan which will generate employment opportunities in Balochistan.

Qaiser Jamal emphasized the need for mainstreaming of tribal areas and redressal of their grievances.

Molana Qamaruddin said that small and big dams should be constructed in Balochistan to meet the province’s water requirements.

Suraiya Jatoi said local people should be given job opportunities in China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Nikhat Shakeel said the provincial government should allocate sufficient funds for improvement of health facilities in Karachi.

Shazia Sobia said such programs and projects need to be initiated that generate employment opportunities for the youth.

Amra Khan said the government is answerable to the masses and it will deliver to their expectations.

Sardar Kamal Khan Chang said federal government should allocate more funds for infrastructure in Badin district of Sindh.

Ali Raza Abidi supported the demand for creation of new administrative units to ensure equal development process.

Surriya Asghar expressed concerns over rapid transformation of agricultural land into housing societies, reducing crop landscape of the country.

Shamas-un-Nisa said Sindh should not be ignored in distribution of water.

Musarrat Rafiq said the government will have to take the energy crisis seriously to run industry in a better way.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.