The National Assembly on Wednesday resumed the general discussion on a motion moved by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to make recommendations for Finance Bill 2015.
Appreciating the speech of National Assembly opposition leader on budget, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the budget had nothing to offer for the poor, industrialists and agricultural sector. He said the country required a revolutionary budget to address social issues. He said European countries had introduced Ramzan package wherein related items were available on half rates. He added there was a report that Pakistan would face water shortage in future, which needed to be addressed on urgent basis.
Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said law and order situation had improved and electricity load-shedding had also registered a decrease. The per capita income had increased from $1,380 to $1,560, inflation had decreased to 4.6 percent, while revenue collection and foreign remittances had also increased by 14 percent. He said value of rupees appreciated due to steps taken by the government. He said under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), Rs 1,500 billion had been utilised.
Awais Ahmed Khan said the privatisation process would improve performance of public departments. It was not job of the government to run business, he added. He suggested the government to focus on providing incentives to textile and agriculture sector.
He said due to the vision of the prime minister, relations with Iran, Afghanistan and other countries had improved. He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country. He also condemned the statement of Indian prime minister.
Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour asked the government to invest in hydle electricity projects for generating cheaper electricity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also called for allocating funds for Munda Dam project. He said KP had huge opportunity for generating hydle electricity. He asked the government to increase salary of the government employees by 10 percent.
Bilour said that province should be given their due rights. The amount allocated for providing loans to youths, should also be provided in other provinces, he added. He also asked the government to withdraw tax on CNG industry in KP.
Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf asked the government to take steps for retiring the loans. He asked the government to focus on agriculture and Rekodiq. He said Pakistan’s embassies should find out new markets for Pakistani products.
