Oppn boycotts NA, treasury members appreciate budget
islamabad — The National Assembly on Wednesday continued debate on annual budget 2017-18 as members appreciated the government measures to overcome power shortage and initiate projects for the socio-economic development of the country.
Amidst opposition’s walkout to protest non-availability of time to live telecast speech of the Opposition Leader, the members from treasury benches continued discussion as opposition parties organised their own separate session outside the building.
The National Assembly on Wednesday witnessed two sessions with one in the House premises as regular session while another session organised by the opposition outside the building.
The treasury members took exception to the opposition attitude who they stated drew salaries from national exchequer but shied away from pleading the case of their people.
“Budget debate is meant for holding the government accountable and highlighting the problems of their respective constituencies,” said MNA Mahmood Bashir Virk.
He said it would have been better if the opposition members had fully participated in the debate.
He said that the government was fulfilling its duties by giving opportunity to opposition to speak on the budget. But, the opposition is shying away from its duties to the parliament and their voters.
MNA Nasir Khan Khattak appreciated the government measures announced in the budget and thanked the federal government for extending CPEC to parts of KPK and including the province in different development projects. He also appreciated measures for overcoming loadshedding in the country and claimed that agreements for LPG and LNG were transparent.
The member regretted decrease in exports and demanded of the government to reframe strategies for targeting more and more external markets.
Nasir Khan said, the tax base could not be expanded as envisaged
Women members must be given due share in PsdP for development activities Asiya Nasir, a govt lawmaker
and there was need to start a survey to identify new tax payers and FBR be provided proper resources to carry out this exercise.
MNA Asiya Nasir said the government provided a platform to the opposition for deliberations on the budget but opposition’s attitude was beyond perception. As PTI has an unknown agenda against the country, the attitude of PPPP was painful as the opposition was following the path of PTI.
Speaking on the budget, she demanded equal rights for women and minorities in development activities and employment opportunities.
“Women members must be given due share in PSDP for development activities while women who make half of the population also need opportunities and protection of their rights”.