PTI leader confirms he’s been asked to give PML-N a tough time due to his economic expertise. PHOTO: ONLINE
Traditionally, political parties choose their respective parliamentary leaders to lead the budget debate in the National Assembly. However breaking away from tradition, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has decided to field MNA Asad Umar as it ‘opening batsman’.
Observers believe Umar, who is an expert in economic matters, has been fielded to give the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz a tough time in the budget session on Monday.
“Yes, I have been asked by my party to open the budget debate and bring facts and figure to disprove certain claims made by the finance minister,” he told The Express Tribune on Saturday.
According to Umar, the budget is heavily focused on the country’s rich and corporate class. As such, he said, his party believes it will further marginalise the poor and increase unemployment, inflation and social disparity.
Surprisingly, the government introduced measures to protect foreign companies – a move the PTI leader believes would have a negative impact on local companies and revenue collection. “Foreign companies have been allowed to pay only 20% tax while local companies will pay over 30%... it seems as if we’re living in the era of the East India Company again.”
Meanwhile, PTI sources said senior leaders have advised PTI Chairman Imran Khan to avoid talking to the media on every issue. Instead, they urged their chairman to entrust matters to his party’s senior leaders.
Sources said Imran has agreed to the suggestion and asked Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Javed Hashmi to represent him on political matters, Shireen Mazari on media matters, and Asad Umar on economic issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.
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@Adnan Siddiqi: That rupee appreciation was due to the 1.5 billion dollar baksheesh given by Saudis. The economic condition has not changed. We are still waiting for the miracle.
@Khan: He was an employee not an owner. Makes for a world of difference.
@ PMln supports All you ppl are happy with an amusement park with lots of motorways, metro buses and metro trains with a stall that sells keeme wale naan. Who cares for better education for all, health care for poor, jobs and safety. Enjoy this lala land with no food or jobs and and when hungry go take a ride on metro bus to fill you tummies
The irony is that a paid consultant of a political party hired at a monthly salary of Rs. 1.8 million paid out of the coffers of PTI and by extension SKMH's donation accounts, will now teach basic economics to a Finance guru in Ishaq Dar who earlier blew Sheikh Rasheed and Asad Umar into smithreens by appreciating the value of PKR and stabilizing it.
Haha, Asad Umar thinks he can take down Ishaq Dar's budget? What a joke! PTI kids are going to get a good thrashing by the true economic experts from PML-N.
@Adnan Siddiqi: To add further, in addition to one brother who is Privatization Incharge who is good for nothing, another interesting fact is yet another brother is the chairman of NBP. This is called opportunistically balancing act.
You don't know nothing@Khan:
For God sake, first read and understand the reality!.@tabinda:
PTI made a big mistake....i am being sarcastic. Asad will rip DAR apart. He would be begging for mercy.
@PMLN supporter: We are killing two birds with one stone. In the Parliament and on the roads. Dharna ho dharna ho.
This would be interesting....I wonder how the PMLN is going to tackle Asad Umer.... @Adnan Siddiqui: Yes, thats what economics is all about...convincing family members from joining a political party...an appeal to all PMLN supporters...please do watch this debate and for once...please give some logical arguements....
A healthy constructive debate is what we expect in the parliament so I say bring it on PTI. Oh and please drop those stupid sit in. This is what you should have been doing all along to keep government on it's toes. Let's become democratic?
in all respect good decision by PTI
He will not be ' friendly opposition'. Let it be known to people living in Europe when and which TV will broadcast live.
My request to ASAD: Please make sure that PML-N and the friendly opposition understand you.When I watch you in talk shows in Pakistani TV, I have a feeling that your message is not understood by PML-N and PPP.
So the best criticism this economic expert could come up with so far is that the foreign companies are being taxed less than local companies? What a brilliant observation! I totally agree. In fact, let's tax the foreign companies at twice the rate of local companies! That will surely attract lots of foreign investors.
A person who cannot even convince his own brother to stay away from PML-N will now try to convince Pakistanis that the budget is anti-people.
@tabinda: What do you know about the governance of PTI in KP? Do you actually live there? No, I don't think so! Go and ask the people of KP about the performance of PTI! They are satisfied! Think twice before hurling baseless accusations! PML-N is full of corruption, sadly, you do not see it!
@Sami: Good reply ;)
@tabinda: Oh yes! PMLN has saved us by giving us Metro Bus, motorway, & by fooling us with projects which are only visible on papers! Spare us with such amusement.
@Tabinda It seems you live close to metro bus route.
He is not exprt in economic matter.
lets not forget that mr umar was and still is an industrialist. Not too long ago, it benefited him and to some respect still does.
I like PTI because of Asad Umar ... :)
In Asad we trust!
At least in him we have a person who knows what he's talking about.
A long standing demand of workers that Khan should hand over tiny and day to day matters to second tier leaders of party to deal with is met now.
This is the best move in a century that PTI did. Asad Umar is the most capable man in the camp with deep understanding financial and eonomic matters. It will be a great session to watch.
Now we are talking.......... Asad umer vs Parlimentarians
Anxiously waiting to see the bashing of DARling of PMLN.
PML-n is performing well. All his allegations will be baseless. What has PTI performed in KPK? Only bad governance and corruption.
Great decision by IK and senior leaders of PTI! Asad Umar is a very capable man and he always has very strong and valid economic expertise! This budget is unacceptable and has been conveniently made to protect the interests and increase the wealth of the rich while oppressing the poor!
C'mon Asad Umar, rip these jokers and their good-for-nothing, self-serving budget apart.