Withdrawal of subsidies to further trouble the poor

ISLAMABAD: Members of the opposition parties demanded further increase in salaries and pensions and bringing affluent people into the tax net as the National Assembly continued debate on federal budget on Saturday.

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.

Man City slips further out of title contention

MANCHESTER: The Premier League trophy could be out of reach for Manchester City after a 2-2 home draw with last-placed Sunderland on Wednesday that capped a demoralizing four days for title chasers.

Samir Nasri´s 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea.T

Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sunday´s 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. "I think we are more mentally tired than physically tired," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who is still not giving up hope. "Remember this team, two years ago, were six points behind the leaders and ... won the title at the end. So it is difficult, but it is not the last game we play."

Sunderland is six points from safety with a game in hand, but could have been a lot closer if goalkeeper Vito Mannone had gathered Nasri´s shot rather than fumbled it into the back of the net.

That could be the difference between staying in the Premier League and being relegated. "It´s one more blow," Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said. "I tell you what, I´m testing my heart this year."

Without the injured David Silva and Yaya Toure and with star striker Sergio Aguero lacking match sharpness, City lacked its usual creativity going forward and was sloppy in possession.

Fernandinho gave City the lead in the second minute, running onto a short pass from Aguero that was dummied by Alvaro Negredo and scoring inside Mannone´s near post, but Sunderland had the better of the chances for the rest of the first half.

Connor Wickham finally took one of them in the 73rd minute, volleying in a cross from substitute Emanuele Giaccherini, and the same players combined for Wickham´s second that came on the counter-attack in the 83rd.

City escaped with a point thanks to Nasri, but Liverpool and Chelsea will be celebrating another twist in the title race. "We believe we can win the title," Fernandinho said. "Chelsea and Liverpool have four games and they may drop some points — we think we can still win the title." (AP)

 

Crude oil prices fall further in Asia

SINGAPORE: Oil prices extended losses in Asian trade Friday as data showing a slowdown in China´s giant economy sparked concerns about weak demand.

Expectations that Libyan oil will return to the market after rebels lifted a blockade of crude terminals also helped push prices lower, analysts said.

New York´s main contract West Texas Intermediate for May delivery eased 16 cents to $103.24 a barrel in mid-morning trade while Brent North Sea crude tumbled 12 cents to $107.34 for its May contract.

Clinton warns of further Russian aggression

A child plays near a Russian soldier, right, while Ukrainian soldiers look on from behind gates as the Russian soldier guards the gate of an Ukrainian infantry base in Perevalne, Ukraine.

Other countries near Russia could also face aggression if President Vladimir Putin is allowed to get away with his actions in Ukraine, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.
Clinton, a potential 2016 presidential contender, called Russia’s move to annex Crimea illegal and a violation of international law.
“If he’s allowed to get away with that, I think you’ll see a lot of other countries either directly facing Russian aggression or suborned with their political systems so that they are so intimidated that in effect they are transformed into vassals, not sovereign democracies,” Clinton said at an event hosted by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal at the Palais des Congres.
In response to a question about Ukraine, Clinton advocated a “two-track” approach toward resolving the crisis that included economic incentives and “standing up for our values.”
Along with sanctions against Russia, Clinton argued for increased financial and technical support for a democratic government in Kiev.
She also said Europe needs to be encouraged to find other energy sources so they aren’t dependent on Russian oil and gas.
“We don’t have to be rattling sabers and all that. That’s not useful,” she said.
“But people need to get moving in protecting themselves against future intimidation. It might take a year, it might take two years, but it needs to be slow and steady. And then once again people will see the difference, they will see the choices.”
Clinton referred to the conflict as a “clash of values” and “an effort by Putin to rewrite the boundaries of post-World War II Europe.”
“We’re going to stand up against illegal acts and we’re going to demonstrate that we have a better model, just like we did for 50 years. That takes continuity and persistence and it takes a consensus across the political spectrum in our country, certainly,” she said.
Clinton said she’s hopeful another Cold War can be avoided.
“Obviously nobody wants to see that. I think that’s primarily up to Putin.”
Earlier this month, Clinton likened Putin’s actions on the Crimean Peninsula to those of Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. She has also said he is a tough but thin-skinned leader who is squandering his country’s potential.