The annual budget was assailed by opposition as being traditional while the treasury benches appreciated it on Thursday.
Addressing the House, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Justice (r) Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema said that the government had allocated Rs 1,513 billion for the construction of dams in the country. He also appreciated the government for enhancing allocation for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). However, he said that the government had totally ignored agriculture sector.
Similarly, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan from PML-N asked the government to announce relief package for farmers and to waive off their loans.
Dr Imran Khattak from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf termed the budget 2015-16 as being anti-poor. He said that the increase in salary of government employees was insufficient and remarked that the government had missed all the set targets of FY 2014-15. He added that despite announcement of GSP-plus status, the country’s export had declined and asked the government to focus on basics needs and problems that the people faced.
Tahira Aurangzeb from PML-N said that the performance of the Pakistan Railways had improved and the law and order had been restored in Karachi. She further said Metro Bus Service had been launched to provide relief to the poor people. She said around 14 power generation projects had been initiated by the current government and appreciated enhancement of allocation for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Engineer Dawar Khan Kundi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said it was unfortunate that the government to allocate has been roads, railways and motorway but no funds had been set aside for health and education. He said education, health and power generation projects must be focused in the budget for sustained growth. He asked the government to take steps to minimize the load shedding during Ramzan.
Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah said growth rate had increased to 4.24 per cent and inflation had declined to 4.6 per cent. He said that new project would ensure employment for the educated youth. He said due to policies of the government foreign investors are keen to invest in the country.
Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar, an independent legislator, termed budget 2015-16 traditional and said it was prepared by the bureaucracy not by the politicians. He said the government had failed to control load shedding in the country.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja of PML-N appreciated incentives for farmers, skill training to youth. The confidence of investors has multiplied in the country. Lauding operation against operation Zarb-e-Azb, she said 90 percent terrorism has already been controlled.
Dr Nafisa Shah said Pakistan People’s Party had helped in blocking container revolution in the country last year. She demanded the formation of a judicial commission for ascertaining the volume of black economy in Sindh. She termed the budget as meaningless and criticized for government’s failure to meet last year’s budget targets.
Sanjay Parvani of MQM said that the budget offered nothing for the minorities who are being denied five percent quota in government jobs.
Muhammad Ayaz Soomro of PPP alleged small provinces have been ignored in the traditional budget. Sindh province is being deprived from basic amenities.
Ubaidullah Shadikhel of PML-N said the farmer community has been ignored in the national budget, as they deserve more incentives.