National Assembly resumed its debate on budget for the next fiscal year in Islamabad today. 

Leader of Opposition Shahbaz Sharif called for collective efforts to steer the country out of economic challenges.

He said we are prepared to sign a charter of economy with the government to take forward the country.

He criticized the PTI’s ten month performance in government saying the price hike has added to the woes of common man.

He said the PTI had made big claims of turning around the economy and bringing revolution in the lives of people but it failed to deliver.

Shahbaz Sharif said focus of budget should have been employment generation, reduction in inflation, GDP growth, bolstering exports and ensuring socio-economic justice.  

He said all these elements are missing in the budget. 

He said the government has imposed seventy percent indirect taxes in the next budget which will burden the common man.

The opposition leader said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf had promised to construct five million houses but has not allocated any amount in the budget for this purpose.

He also expressed concerns over raise in the gas and power tariff.

He said government has not provided any relief to the farmers in the budget.

Shahbaz Sharif demanded that the minimum wage of the employees should be fixed at twenty thousand rupees per month.  He said the salaries of government employees up to scale sixteen be enhanced by fifty percent.

Shahbaz Sharif said additional taxes imposed on ghee and edible oil should be withdrawn.  He said allocations for education and health be enhanced. He also demanded revival of zero rated facility for the export oriented industry.