The National Assembly is continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year.

Participating in the debate, Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Khan Afridi said the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan will succeed in transforming this country and earn a respectable place for the country in the comity of nations. He said nobody is above the law and the corrupt elements will face accountability at all costs.

Minister for Communication and Postal Services Murad Saeed says government has launched Ehsas program to eliminate malnutrition, mainstream out of schoolchildren, and establishment of Kafalat Centers at Tehsil level to fight poverty.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said health cards’ scheme has been expanded to the entire country, enabling the downtrodden to avail best medical facilities at government and private hospitals. The Minister said a substantial amount has been allocated in the budget for the development of erstwhile FATA.

He said Rescue 1122 service has been expanded to the newly merged tribal districts with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Highlighting Imran Khan’s role for the cause of Pakistan at the international forums, Murad Saeed said the Prime Minister is successfully portraying positive image of Pakistan.

Participating in the debate, Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Khan Afridi said the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan will succeed in transforming this country and earn a respectable place for the country in the comity of nations. He said nobody is above the law and the corrupt elements will face accountability at all costs.

Amir Haider Khan Hoti said salaries of government employees should be increased by 25 percent instead of 5 or 10 percent. He said tax imposed on Tobacco growers in the new budget should be withdrawn. He said the tax should rather be increased on tobacco companies and the smokers.

Responding to points of ANP Leader, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said it has been decided to withdraw the tax imposed on the tobacco growers. He said the burden of the tax has now been shifted to the end user.

Muhammad Alamgir Khan of PTI highlighted the problems faced by Karachi and said sufficient funds should be allocated for development of the metropolitan.

Hina Rabbani Khar said development funds should be provided to the elected representatives without any discrimination. She also expressed concerns over economic situation of the country saying the PTI government has failed to fulfill any of its commitment.

Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal said the present government is giving special importance to the development of Balochistan province. She said it is the first time that fourteen percent of the total federal budget has been allocated for Balochistan. She said it is also the first time that the government is reaching out to the poorest of the poor.

Hussain Elahi said previous PML (N) government is responsible for the current economic situation of the country. She said the previous government also did not pay any attention to bring improvement in the education and health sectors. He appreciated the incumbent government for focusing on the human development.

Maryam Aurangzeb said government has not allocated any amount to address the issue of malnutrition in the country. Syed Faiz-ul-Hassan said the budget for next fiscal year is a balanced one. He said difficult decisions have been taken keeping in view the current economic situation. He said the government should give relief by reducing the prices of petroleum products.

Shazia Marri said honorarium equivalent to five months basic pay announced by the previous government for the staff of different organizations including Radio Pakistan, PTV and the APP should be given to the employees deployed for the coverage of budget session. She was also critical of the government for not increasing the salaries of scale 21 and 22 employees and reducing the minimum taxable income threshold.

Fozia Behram is giving importance to broaden the tax net. She said that we have also given greater autonomy to the State Bank of Pakistan.

Javed Latif said the country cannot move forward without upholding the rule of law. He said the present government has increased the burden of debt on the country.

Khurram Shahzad said the government should fully facilitate the exporters. He appreciated the government providing power and gas to the export oriented industry at subsidized rates. He said the Federal Excise Duty imposed on small cars should be withdrawn.

Maulana Muhammad Anwar said Pakistan cannot make progress and achieve peace and stability unless a true Islamic system is introduced in the country.

Ali Nawaz Awan said the PML (N) and the PPP governments destroyed the national economy. He said they are also responsible for the deficits of the power sector as well as state enterprises including Pakistan Railways and Steel Mills.