When will the poor not sleep hungry, SC asks govt

 

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned the final report from the Centre and the provinces on July 17 on the practical steps taken for the provision of flour to poor persons at subsidised rates.
Heading the bench, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked during the flour subsidy case the government should tell when the day will come when no poor will sleep hungry.He remarked “It seems as if we are measuring water. The court does not need empty consolations but it should be told about the practical steps. Officers should shun officialdom and adopt the norms of serving the common man. Extreme obsession is also needed along with sanity for addressing the problems facing the poor segments of the society.”

He remarked. “Running the government is the job of elected representatives of people. But getting articles 9, 14 and 38 implemented is our obligation. Nine months have passed but no workable solution is becoming visible in this respect. We will not allow the poor to die of hunger despite an abundant supply of wheat grains.”

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Attiq Shah and law officers of the provinces appeared in the court. Justice Khawaja remarked, “For how long this job will be done in the provinces? We want low priced atta is distributed among the poor and its monitoring is done. We have come tosuch stage where we don’t want empty consolations. We want work, not the committees.”

AAG Attique Shah said the government is working out how atta will reach the poor. This is issue of over 67 percent population of the country, he added. Justice Khawaja remarked, “We have vast experience of judicial review as we have been doing it for the last 40 years. We will conduct judicial review when the things come before us. You all please sit together and resolve this matter. It was told by Punjab that chief minister is on the visit to China and he has however directed the concerned authorities to gear up all efforts. Tell us outline of the solution at least.”

The authorities concerned said it is being considered to use Watan card for this purpose. Justice Khawaja remarked, “There should be online system. Don’t tell more about subsidy. Tell us about proposals. Running the government is your job.”

He said the whole exercise will be of no use if deserving people don’t benefit from it. He said in his remarks that the case hearing has been ongoing since October 2013 but no steps are being taken.

He ordered all four provinces to come up with a joint solution.He said that he is aware there are difficulties, adding that the solutions to those difficulties are also available.

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.

Those earning $2 a day should also be counted as poor: Dar

 

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday said poverty needs to be defined afresh and those earning US $2 a day should also be considered poor.
Speaking at the first business session at the 47th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Astana, Kazakstan, Dar said the national economy would hopefully grow by over 4 percent during the current fiscal year (2013-14).

Inflation would remain in a single digits due to growth in both the agricultural and industrial sectors, Dar said, adding that the fiscal deficit had been reduced to around 6 percent through an increase in revenues, reduction in expenditure and positive growth in exports and remittances.

Necessary domestic reforms were being undertaken as the government preferred regional integration through increased connectivity and enhanced preferential arrangements, he added. He outlined the government’s strategies for overcoming the macro-economic challenges, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry here.

It said during the Constituency Breakfast Meeting, Dar suggested that the ADB revise the absolute poverty line from $1.25 per day to $2 per day in conformity with the latest revision adopted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The minister stated thatpresently 2.4 billion people were living below the poverty line of $2 a day.During the Governor’s Plenary Session, the minister highlighted the government’s response to the recent natural disasters in Pakistan and future strategy of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan. He emphasised the need to reduce exposure to natural hazards and disasters.

He suggested that the development partners such as the ADB, World Bank and IMF devise different strategies and action plans for promoting disaster risk reduction programmes. He said these institutions could benefit from Pakistan’s experiences.

Dar invited Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bakhyt Sultanov and President Nursultan Nazarbayev to visit Pakistan this year. He requested Sultanov to consider measures for easing the movement of people along with enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade, investment banking and finance.

The World Bank also appreciated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s vision, hard work, kindness and courage to tackle difficult issues the country has been facing.In a letter written to Dar with regard to Pakistan Day, WB Vice President (South Asia Region) Philippe Le Hourou said the Board was appreciative of the actions taken by Pakistan.

Le Houerou advised Pakistan to stay the course, and for the World Bank Group to stay engaged in Pakistan’s development. “I am happy to report that it really was a ‘Pakistan Day’ and Pakistan was shinning. It is very clear that we owe this success to the strong leadership of the prime minister and to the finance minister personally”, Le Houerou added.

Restrictions, poor equipment hinder Darfur peace mission: Ban

KHARTOUM: Restrictions by Sudan's government and the inadequate equipment of some peacekeepers in the Darfur region are hindering their ability to protect civilians and aid workers while violence increases, the UN chief says.
Ban Ki-moon made the comments in a review of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) which the UN Security Council ordered last July, according to a copy received Sunday by AFP.
He also called on the Security Council to endorse a set of measures, to be implemented over 12 months, "so that UNAMID can more effectively assist the many civilians affected by violence, insecurity and deprivation in Darfur".
While UNAMID has "some impact" in protecting civilians and aid delivery, "its effectiveness is seriously constrained by access restrictions and mobility constraints and shortfalls in the operational capabilities of several troop and police contingents," Ban's report says.
The six-year-old mission with more than 19,000 soldiers and police is one of the world's largest peacekeeping operations.
But the dynamics of Darfur's 11-year-old conflict, where clashes between rebels and government forces continue sporadically, have changed recently, prompting the review.
"Eleven years since the rebellion began, the situation in Darfur remains deeply troubling," Ban said.
Over the past two years, Sudan's deteriorating economy has led to worsening crime and intercommunal clashes, the report says, adding that some cash-poor paramilitaries have joined the tribal fighting over gold and other resources.
UNAMID itself has increasingly become a victim of the region's violence.
"In 2013, UNAMID suffered 19 attacks, resulting in 16 dead and 27 injured and a significant loss of vehicles, weapons and ammunition," Ban says.
The UN says 380,000 people were uprooted in Darfur in 2013 -- more than in any year since 2004 at the height of the conflict.
Fresh fighting has forced thousands more to flee their homes, the UN said last week, putting further pressure on an already stretched aid system dealing with almost two million displaced.