Finance Bill outrages opposition senators
MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari maintained that nobody would accept a ‘controversial’ census. PHOTO: FILE
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday after presenting the Finance Bill 2023-24 in the National Assembly, tabled a copy of it in the Senate as required under Article 73 of the Constitution - a move that did not go down well with the opposition lawmakers in the upper house of parliament.
The opposition senators, mostly those belonging to the PTI, resorted to shouting slogans against the Finance Bill.
They continued to shout “budget unacceptable".
Dar tabled the Finance Bill in the Senate session, presided over by its chairman, Sadiq Sanjrani.
The chaos in the upper house compelled Sanjrani to seek recommendations on the Finance Bill from the senators till June 13 after thoroughly evaluating the document. The recommendations will be forwarded to the lower house of parliament for further deliberation.
Sanjrani also directed the lawmakers to submit a formal report to the Senate’s standing committee on the Finance Bill till June 16.
During the session, Senator Maulana Faiz Muhammad recited Fateha for the army troops and police personnel, who recently embraced martyrdom while combating terrorists.
The Finance Bill holds substantial importance as it encompasses crucial fiscal policies and measures that will shape the country’s economic landscape.
The proposals outlined within the bill are expected to impact various sectors and stakeholders, ranging from taxation and public expenditure to investment incentives and economic reforms.
With the Finance Bill now before the Senate, the legislators have a critical responsibility to thoroughly assess the proposed measures and offer well-informed recommendations, the state-run APP reported.
This collaboration aims to foster a constructive dialogue and ensure the enactment of an inclusive and effective budget that addresses the nation’s needs and aspirations, it added.
The Finance Bill 2023-24 will now undergo a review process in the Senate, where lawmakers will analyse its provisions and make relevant suggestions.
The presentation of the Finance Bill in the Senate marks a significant milestone in the budgetary process, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, according to APP.
The Senate session will reconvene on June 12 at 3 pm. The upcoming sitting will be dedicated to the formal commencement of the debate on the Finance Bill.