The National Assembly is continuing debate on the budget for next fiscal year.
Participating in the debate, Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Farrukh Habib said due to prudent policies of the government, the current account deficit has reduced. He said the government will provide soft loans worth 100 billion rupees to the youth to uplift their living standard.
Farrukh Habib said the world community is looking at Pakistan as an investment hub due to effective strategy of the government. He appreciated the armed forces for voluntarily reducing their budget.
He suggested that the government should take constructive steps for the promotion of textile sector.
Taking part in the debate, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the PTI government failed to achieve the target of tax collection of 4000 billion rupees in the outgoing fiscal year, but has set a target of 5500 billion rupees for the next financial year. He said in order to fill the gap of 1500 billion rupees, the government will have to increase the price of everything, which will affect the poor segment of the society.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said withdrawal of zero rated facility for export industry will decrease exports of the country.
Speaking in the debate session, PML-N leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the opposition is ready to work with the government on national issues for betterment of the country.
He urged the government to revise its decision regarding withdrawal of zero-rated facility to the industry to bolster the exports of the county.
He said that instead of the last 10 years, the commission should probe all the loans taken by the previous regimes.
Ayaz Sadiq said the government has reduced the education and health budget. He said the government has brought down tax slab rate for salaried class, which will in fact decrease their salaries.
Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel said those who looted the country must be held accountable without any discrimination. He criticized the previous governments for destroying the national institutions including PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills.
Sabir Hussain Qaim Khani emphasized the need for utilizing the natural resources to strengthen the economic structure of the country. He thanked the federal government for earmarking funds to establish a university in Hyderabad.
Mir Munawar Ali Talpur said the government has failed to overcome the economic crisis. He said PPP is ready to cooperate with the government to uplift the country’s economic situation. He voiced concern over the increased value of dollar against rupee.
Taking part in the debate, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the goals of progress and prosperity can only be achieved by laying the foundation of democracy on the golden principles of Islam.
He said the entire world is now turning its direction towards Islamic banking system and we too will have to convert our banking system into Islamic banking. He said we have to get rid of usury based banking system. He said many Muslim countries including Malaysia, Turkey and Sudan have moved towards Islamic banking.
The Minister of State said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted to run the country on the principles of Islam and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said Prime Minister Imran Khan also wants to build Pakistan on the principles of the state of Madina.
Ali Muhammad Khan said every government wants to prepare a people-friendly budget; however, for the first time in 70 years, this government would fully implement the budget.
Rubina Irfan said ensuring provision of rights to the people of Balochistan is imperative to give impetus to the country’s development. She said Balochistan is endowed with natural minerals that must be utilized in the best interest of the country.
Sikandar Ali of PPP termed the budget anti-poor. He also demanded that salaried class earning up to one hundred thousand rupees monthly should be exempted from tax.
Syed Javed Husnain of PML-N said the government should promote tourism and agriculture sector to get rid of foreign debts. He said the government should pay special attention towards the welfare of farmers and formulate a proper policy with regard to agriculture.
Chaudhary Hamid Hameed of PML(N) said imposition of taxes on each and every thing by the government will have negative impact in days to come. He said the PTI led government has deviated from its promises made with the people during the elections.
Nawabzada Iftakhar Ahmed Khan Babar of PPPP said while preparing the budget, the government has negated the basic philosophy of democracy.
Nausheen Hamid of PTI said the developed countries of the world are ready to make investment in Pakistan due to its favorable ambiance. She said declaring Pakistan family station by the United Nations is testament of improved security situation in the country. She Pakistan has gained its lost dignity under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Shaukat Ali of PTI said it is the responsibility of all citizens to ensure payment of taxes for ensuring their vital contribution in development of the country. He said there must be difference between the people who are paying their all utilities bill and those who are avoiding. He said thinking of Prime Minister Imran Khan is to ensure the bright future of Pakistan.
Those who also spoke on the occasion include Ahmed Raza Manika, Farooq Azam Malik, Syed Javed Ali Shah, Sajida Begum, Shaista Pervaiz, Saif ur Rehman, Makhdoom Syed Mustafa Mehmood, Mansoor Hayat, Riaz Ul Haq, Zille Huma, Naveed Aamir Jeeva, Sher Ali Arbab, Choudhary Faqir Ahmad, Rana Qasim Noon, Nasiba Channa, Sobia Kamal, Shaheen Naz, Shamim Ara, Ghazala Saifi.