The members of the National Assembly also strongly condemned killing of a member of Balochistan Assembly Handery Maseh in Quetta.
The parliamentarians said that withdrawal of subsidies will further burden the life of the poor. Keeping in view the security situation of the country, they also demanded that defence budget should be enhanced.
Dr Nafeesa Shah of PPP said the National Security Policy evolved by the present government was appreciated by all the political parties across the board but it is surprising that no amount has been allocated in the budget for the implementation of this policy.
She said war against terrorism was not confined only to Waziristan and government will have to take some major steps for the protection of all cities.
She demanded that Sindh and Balochistan should be given one percent from divisible pool for the security purpose.
The members of the National Assembly also strongly condemned killing of a member of Balochistan Assembly Handery Maseh in Quetta.
The issue in the House was raised by minority member Khalil George who demanded protection for the minorities and inquiry into the incident.
Members from different political parties including Ejaz Jhakrani (PPP), Shaharyar Afridi (PTI), Ayesha Syed (Jamaat-e-Islami), Maulana Amir Zaman (JUI-F) and Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan (MQM) while condemning murder of Handrey Maseh said such incidents involving minorities damage Pakistan’s perception in the comity of nations.
The members demanded of the federal and provincial governments to hold inquiry and bring the culprits to book.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad assured the House that the federal government would direct the provincial government to hold impartial inquiry into the incident.
Kicking off debate on the budget, Amirullah Marwat of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) observed 10% increase in salaries and pensions was not sufficient. “The salaries and pensions should be increased by at least 30%,” he said.
He was of the view that 10% increase announced in the budget was not adequate keeping in view the prices of essential commodities.
Amirullah Marwat also observed that increasing financial assistance to Rs1500 from Rs1200 under the BISP was also not sufficient as the prices of essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of poor people.
Murad Saeed of PTI regretted that despite big claims, the government has failed to bring affluent class into the tax net saying indirect taxes have added to the woes of the poor people while rich are enjoying different perks through tax amnesty schemes.
He said the federal government would also have to pay attention to address the grievances of small provinces. He said that equal development activities should be carried out in all the federating units to remove the sense of deprivation of backward areas.
PkMAP’s Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan criticised withdrawal of Rs120 billion subsidy on power. He said imposition of new taxes will trigger a new wave of inflation in the country.
Abdul Wasim of MQM said the government should facilitate establishment of new industries in the country as this will help end unemployment and improve economy as well as the ratio of tax collection.
He said tax reforms should be implemented in letter and spirit and the common man should be given relief by reducing the ratio of indirect taxes.
Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry of PML-N supported the government’s privatization policy saying it is not government’s job to do business but only the private sector. “This will lead to economic growth and strengthen the institutions,” he said.
He said the money being spent on sick units should be diverted to the law enforcement agencies keeping in view the current situation in the country.
Siraj Muhammad Khan said Overseas Pakistanis are an asset and they should be facilitated through launch of low cost housing schemes. He criticized ban on government jobs and removal of low cadre contractual staff from the public sector departments.
Minority member Aasiya Nasir of JUI-F said the next year’s budget is neither participatory nor people oriented. She said the budget should be prepared in consultation with the elected representatives. She said minorities are an important part of the society but they continue to face social and economic discrimination.
She proposed that a ministry of minorities should be established at the federal level for the protection of rights of this deprived segment of the society.
Nabeel Gabol of MQM said law and order is the biggest issue of the country and the government should take necessary steps to address the issue. He said the decision to hold dialogue with Taliban helped the outfit to regroup and stage an attack on the old Karachi airport.
Tahira Aurangzeb of the PML-N said the present government has taken unprecedented steps for the economic empowerment and emancipation of women folk.
She said it was for the first time in the history that a quota of fifty percent has been fixed for them in the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme. She said Rawalpindi Islamabad metro bus project is a gift of the present government to the poor labourers and workers of the twin cities.
Azhar Khan Jadoon called for creation of more provinces on administrative basis. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed a resolution for the establishment of Hazara province and the National Assembly should also pass a resolution in support of the province.
Khalil George said the new budget is in accordance with the public aspirations. He said priority has been given to projects such as motorways and infrastructure, which will bring a visible change in the country. He appreciated the government for enhancing funds for the welfare of minorities.
Iqbal Muhammad Ali said the government should give relief to the common man by reducing the prices of oil and gas. He said the money being spent on the metro bus project should have been diverted to address the energy crisis.
He opposed the privatization of Pakistan Steel, PIA and Pakistan Railways saying competent and capable people should be appointed to transform these institutions into profitable entities.
Shahjehan Mangrio said credit goes to the present government for taking the initiative to revive the national institutions and launching mega projects such as metro bus for the convenience of the people.
Dr. Nisar Ahmed Jatt said the government inherited electricity and other crises from the previous government but the visionary leadership of PML-N has put the country again on the right track.
He said agriculture is the backbone of the economy and reforms should be enhanced in this sector to ensure food security.
Engineer Hameedul Haq was of the view that the budget is not pro-people and suggested 50% increase in the salaries of the government employees
Muhammad Khan Daha said the budget augurs well for economic growth and progress of the country. He said agriculture sector is provided subsidies throughout the world and this should be done in Pakistan as well.
Sajida Begum was of the view that the budget contains no worthwhile relief for the poor. She said 10% increase in salaries and pensions was not enough and should be increased by at least 50% in view of growing inflation.
Maulana Qamaruddin expressed concern over growing violence in the country and especially against minorities.
Aasia Naz Tanoli said the measures proposed in the budget would help tackle problems like food and shelter. She said these measures would also help increase the GDP growth rate.
Dr. Imran Khattak said the country could get rid of the problem of loadshedding only if hydropower potential of KP province is realized.
He regretted that the government had to revise the tax collection targets to the downward level during current year and it also could not make any significant progress towards expansion of tax net.
