ISLAMABAD: The Senate Wednesday continued debate on the Federal Budget 2018-19, with Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Rukhsana Zubairi saying that nothing had been allocated in the budget for controlling population.
Resuming the budget debate, the treasury members lauded the measures announced for overcoming the power shortage and opposition members stressing equitable distribution of resources, tax reforms, better water management and special allocation for education.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl ‘s Talha Mehmood alleged that indirect taxes had been enhanced in the budget, which would multiply the problems for the persons having a fixed income. The industrial sector had suffered the worst due to electricity crisis, he said, adding that those already paying taxes should not be burdened more. The private sector should be provided incentives to help overcome unemployment, he added.
He said long-term planning should be made to revive the economy, overcome power shortage, and promote technical education in the country.
Ameer Jamat-e-Islami Siraj-ul-Haq called for making minimum allocations for administrative expenses and reserving maximum amount for development projects.
He stressed equitable distribution of resources among various segments of the society to overcome poverty and lawlessness.
Introducing Zakat and Usher system in the country, he said, could help jump the number of taxpayers from 800,000 to 90 million, ensuring plenty of money for development projects and undertaking poverty elimination projects.
Mirza Muhammad Afridi said the people had accepted the budget announced by the federal government. The tax network had been expanded while 3.8 per cent growth rate had been registered in the agriculture sector. The entire world had acknowledged the good work done by the government in many sectors, he added.
He also appreciated the government for allocating a huge amount for the development and welfare of the FATA people.
Attique Sheikh said nothing had been announced for the common people. Karachi, the business hub of the country, had been ignored in the budget, he added.
Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) Gul Bashra said nothing had been announced for women in the budget.
