Finance Adviser Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh laid a copy of the Money Bill, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

He also laid before the house a copy of the Money Bill, the COVID-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Bill, 2020.

The House is now continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year.

Taking part in the discussion on fiscal budget, Senator Mohsin Aziz said that the PTI government has presented a balanced budget and allocated sufficient amount for Ehsaas Program and for COVID-19 to control the impacts of the epidemic. He said that international rating agencies have acknowledged the fiscal discipline.

Senator Krishna Kumari said the government should take steps to control locust attacks across the country. 

Participating in the discussion, Mushahid Hussain Sayed called for collective efforts to cope with the challenge posed by Covid-19. He said we also need unity to deal with the regional challenges.

Waleed Iqbal was appreciative of the allocations enhanced by the government for the education sector.  He said the government is also giving priority to the CPEC related projects and allocated seventy seven billion rupees for this purpose.

Sitara Ayaz said special emphasis should be given to the development of backward areas.

The House offered fateha for legendary Radio and TV Host Tariq Aziz who passed away the other day.

Taking the floor, Leader of the House Shahzad Wasim said that the prime focus of the government is to repatriate overseas Pakistani stranded in different countries. He said the number of international flights is being increased to bring them back to the homeland.

He said that on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan Cash assistance is being given to the deserving families under the Ehsaas program.

Abida Azeem said government should increase the salaries and pensions of the employees.

Naseebullah Bazai was appreciative of the government’s initiative to provide essential commodities to the people at reduced rates through Utility Stores Corporation.

Faisal Javed said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s main focus is to provide relief to the poor segments of the society during these testing times. He said the budget envisages several measures for the poor people. He said our fight is against those who plundered the country over the last four decades.

Muhammad Ali Saif said government should take effective measures to provide maximum relief to the common man. He said government should give due share to the provinces in NFC.

Usman Khan Kakar demanded the reopening of Chaman border to facilitate the traders.

The House will now meet on Monday at four p.m.