-Katchi Kanal project lingering since long, Balochistan deserves equality, says Agha Hassan Baloch
-PML-N also inherited plethora of problems from PPP govt but performed better, says PML-N’s Saad Waseem Sheikh
-Govt’s proposed budget would steer country out of economic crunch and towards better future, says PTI’s Nuzhat Pathan
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians from different political parties on Wednesday gave mixed reactions on the federal budget 2019-20 presented by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the National Assembly (NA) on June 11.
Participating in the budget debate, Sher Akbar Khan of PTI said that the government had prepared a balanced, growth-oriented and people-friendly budget according to the prevailing economic situation.
He said that required measures had been taken to completely curb electricity load-shedding, provide welfare to downtrodden segments of the society and create more job opportunities.
The PTI government, he emphasised, inherited a collapsed economy, rampant corruption, and mismanagement, for which it was taking remedial measures.
He expressed confidence that the government would overcome all the confronted challenges and put the country on a sustainable path of progress and prosperity in its tenure.
Sher Akbar also highlighted problems being faced by people of his constituency district Buner and requested the government to provide electricity, gas and education facilities in the area. He asked for connecting Buner district with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route as the area had 70 per cent of the country’s total marble deposits.
He also demanded setting up an economic zone in the district due to the minerals and industrial potential there.
Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan assured the MNA of resolving the problems of the area on a priority basis.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan (MMAP) appreciated the government for allocating a sufficient amount for infrastructure development in Chitral and its adjoining areas.
He suggested that the government introduce an interest-free system to strengthen the national economy, adding that he had proposed two legislations in this regard; however, they were pending in different Standing Committees for quite some time.
He said that there should be improved educational and health facilities for the common man’s benefit as practical steps were required to transform the country into a welfare state similar to Madina.
Agha Hassan Baloch of the Baloch National Party (BNP) highlighted the miseries and sense of deprivation experienced by the people of Balochistan saying that the Katchi Kanal project has been lingering since a very long time as sufficient allocations had never been made to complete the much-needed project which would boost the agriculture sector.
He said that Balochistan deserves to have a vibrant irrigation system like Punjab and Sindh.
He highlighted the fact that there were a number of areas where basic life necessities were missing, thus causing a surge in the province’s poverty ratio.
Agha Hassan Baloch demanded a parliamentary committee to look into the unfair treatment of Balochistan, its problems as it was high time to take remedial measures to end the area’s backwardness.
Munawar Bibi Baloch of PTI termed the federal budget pro-business and pro-poor while adding that a special focus had been given for the development of Balochistan.
She appreciated the premier for allocating a handsome amount in the PSDP and for bringing mega development projects for Balochistan.
Saad Waseem Sheikh of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticised the federal government for taking dictation in the finalisation of the fiscal plan.
He recounted the PML-N’s achievements during its five-year term from 2013-18, despite inheriting a crippling legacy of load-shedding, the menace of terrorism and a similarity fragile economy from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government to which PTI’s Malik Niaz Ahmed Jakhar replied that both the PPP and PML-N governments had borrowed expensive loans during their tenures to cope.
Prince Muhammad Nawaz Allai of PTI asked the government for construction of hospitals, university and medical college in his area. While requesting the approval of a 132 kW grid station in Battagaram.
Nuzhat Pathan of PTI said that the government’s proposed budget would steer the country out of an economic crunch so that things could move towards a better future.
Muhammad Israr Tareen of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) asked the federal government for the upgradation of Harnai grid station.
He appreciated the government for allocating funds for the development of backward areas of Balochistan.