Budget assailed for lacking relief for poor

Lawmakers condemn May 9 incidents, question govt’s one-year performance

ISLAMABAD:

The federal budget came under heavy criticism, even from a federal minister, in the National Assembly on Tuesday, as the lawmakers questioned the government’s performance during the last one year.

The lawmakers, including dissident Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Noor Alam Khan and Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), condemned the violence across the country on May 9.

The house met here with Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the chair. Most of the members were absent during the budget debate. The speaker also took notice of the absence of the officers of various ministries and directed them to ensure their attendance.

At the outset of the session, Salahuddin of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) demanded of the government to explain the situation regarding Cyclone Biparjoy, which would hit Sindh’s coastal belt later this week.

Federal Minister Shazia Marri of the PPP said that not only Sindh but some coastal areas of Balochistan were also at the risk of cyclone. The speaker said that army soldiers were working in the area to keep people safe from the cyclone.

He also said that both the federal and the provincial governments were also trying to save the people from the cyclone. Later, the house prayed for the safety of the people. The prayer was led by Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

Taking part in the budget debate, Khurshid Shah said that government was able to present a budget in the prevailing situation was itself a big achievement.

However, he criticised his own government for not allocating adequate funds for agriculture.

“We have not used our resources. We have four seasons a year, we have rivers, agriculture. What you have done for the agriculture [sector],” Shah said. “I am also part of the cabinet but this deception will not work at all.”

Shah appreciated the increase in the salaries of the government employees but stressed the need for doing more for the poor people. He also mentioned the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), saying that no one raised a finger at this welfare programme.

Shah took exception to the absence of ministers in the house. “The presence of only four out of 96 ministers shows their seriousness toward the budget. When they are not present, whom we give out suggestions [about budget],” he said.
“What respect is given to the parliament today? Institutions are not ready to accept other institutions,” he added. “We are not against any political party, we do not support jailing any activist. We opposed ban on any political party.”

This house [the National Assembly] passed the 1973 Constitution and also passed the 18th Amendment. The members of the National Assembly must recognise their power,” he told the lawmakers.

Noor Alam Khan said that the budget was termed “very good” by the ministers but what he saw was only the luxury vehicles outside and no minister inside the house. “I tell these ministers, you start feeling good only when you are in power,” he added.

“Tell them [ministers] what they have given to the poor man. You have not given anything to the poor people related to agriculture. Everything was given to the urea [fertiliser] factory owners,” he said.

He pointed out that Grade-22 officers drew a salary of Rs600,000 along with other perks. “Electricity department employees get free electricity. But the poor man has to pay the bill,” Khan, also the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said.

Khan called for showing no leniency to those involved in the May 9 violence. He also called for providing jobs to children of the security forces martyrs. “The May 9 rioters must be taught a lesson,” he added.

Without mentioning any names, he lamented that the attackers of the memorials of the martyrs on May 9 were greeted with saying “good to see you”. This, he added, made him to regret his “domicile”.

On a personal note, the PAC chairman told the house that this could be his last address to the National Assembly. “I may not come to the house again,” he said, without elaborating. Overall, he said, the budget proved the incompetence of the government.

JI’s Chitrali said that in the budget, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) won and the people Pakistan lost. He termed the budget usury-based, which was contrary to the injunctions of Islam. “Everything in this budget is related to usury,” he said.

He said that fixing the minimum wage at Rs32,000 was far-fetched because of its non-implementation. “Are those having PhD and MA [degrees] getting that much salary? Is a private schoolteacher or a private security guard getting Rs32,000 salary?”

During the session, while speaking on the absence of the ministers, State Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha apologised for not coming to the house on time. The house will meet again on Wednesday morning.