Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Saturday advised the nation to eat chicken instead of lentils which are expensive.
During the National Assembly session, he said if ‘Daal mash’ is expensive , then people should eat chicken which is Rs 200 per kg. He said he has no property abroad and complete detail of his assets can be checked from the Election Commission of Pakistan.
While slamming the opposition vis-a-vis the Pananma leaks, he said he would leave the ministry if allegations are proved against him.
Winding up discussion on charges expenditures, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the present government has reduced the fiscal deficit by half from 8.8 percent to 4.3 percent over the last three years. Apart from this, the development expenditures have been doubled while allocations for the social safety nets have been enhanced by three times. He said we are trying to reduce dependence on loans.
Rejecting criticism of the opposition members on the expenditures of the President house, the Finance Minister said that the allocations have been made keeping in view his responsibilities and activities as he has to represent the country at international forums. The Finance Minister strongly rejected allegations by an opposition member about property abroad and challenged him to prove that.
He said if it is proved, he would leave politics. He said he is a Pakistani and all his assets are in Pakistan. Referring to criticism by some members about increase in the prices of pulses, the Finance Minister advised him to tell his electorates to eat chicken meat which is being sold at Rs 200 pkg as the government has withdrawn taxes on it.
Ishaq Dar assured that the salaries of MNAs will be reviewed after the return of the Prime Minister from London. The Finance Minister said credit goes to the present government for doing away with the secret funds.