ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the budget session in the National Assembly on Saturday, once again offered the opposition meaningful talks and a 'charter of democracy'. The PM had earlier twice offered the opposition, on the floor of the National Assembly, a dialogue and joint work on a Charter of Democracy.
Reiterating his offer in response to the budget speech by Leader of the Opposition Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the PM offered the opposition a dialogue to resolve the issues. Regarding the concerns raised by the opposition leader, Sharif said the present government is fully committed to contributing to the development of all the provinces. "Parliament is a collective forum of the members from all the provinces, where issues can be resolved."
Regarding concerns raised over the Balochistan issue, the premier said that Balochistan's share was significantly increased. Around 73 billion rupees were allocated two years ago for the solarization of agricultural tube-wells in the province, he said, mentioning that the Gwadar-Chaman dual carriageway is also being completed with federal funding of over 300 billion rupees.
Justifying the expenditure on a fence along the Durand Line, the Prime Minister said it was erected for security reasons. He said it was an absolutely appropriate move if that line was put up for the security of Pakistan and its people. "The security forces, law enforcement agencies and police are rendering unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said, adding that their contributions deserve recognition and respect.
In response to the remarks about armed forces by the opposition leader, he further said that 22 army officers and personnel were martyred in the recent helicopter crash in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Regarding terrorism in Balochistan, he said such activities were being "provided technical support" by certain actors. "If the billions of rupees spent on that 2,000-km line save the life of even one child, then I think that the entire money was spent the right way."
Regarding the surge in terrorism cases in KPK, he said security forces have given sacrifices while defending their homeland. "If we do not respect our martyrs, what impression will the world take from it?" he said, mentioning that if they keep the world aside, what will their orphaned children think?
Earlier, opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai in his speech mainly focused on the law and order situation. He came down hard on the government over the development allocations for the provinces. Achakzai stressed the need for joint efforts to steer the country forward. He also extended the opposition's unconditional support to uphold the sovereignty of the constitution and the sanctity of Parliament. He lightly criticized the proposals in the budget. "This 53-page budget has no value as no relief was given to the masses," he said.
Later, lawmakers from the opposition criticized the budgetary proposals. They demanded a reduction in electricity and petroleum prices. They also proposed to enhance the salaries of government employees by at least 15 percent. Samina Khalid Ghurki called for allocating more resources to the health and development sectors. Naeema Kishwar Khan proposed a thirty-percent increase in salaries and raising the minimum wage to fifty thousand rupees. She also urged the government to allocate more development projects to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the budget. She also demanded reducing electricity and petroleum prices.
Commending the budget, Major (retired) Tahir Iqbal proposed to enhance the salaries of government employees by at least 15 percent. Syeda Shehla Raza stressed the need for expanding the tax net instead of increasing taxes. Iftikhar Ahmed Khan suggested encouraging public-private partnership ventures. He also demanded an increase in salaries and pensions. Nasim Ali Shah said more development projects should be initiated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry stressed the need to give more focus to improving the nation's economic condition.
Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani said the people of Balochistan are facing difficulties in accessing facilities like education, health, infrastructure, and potable water. He said the government should divert its attention to address the issues of the people of Balochistan. Sadaf Ihsan said special funds should be allocated for the establishment of girls' schools, solarization of agri-tube wells, and beautification of rural areas of Lakki Marwat district. Riaz Fatyana proposed to allocate an AI fund in the budget to make Pakistan an AI hub in the world. Those who spoke on the occasion include Ali Muhammad Khan, Rana Atif, Sher Afzal Marwat, Asif Khan, and Sher Ali Arbab.
The House will now meet on Sunday at 11 in the morning. Tribute was paid to Shahenshah-e-Ghazal Mehdi Hassan.
