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

Participating in the discussion, Usama Qadri said the minimum wage should be fixed at twenty five thousand rupees. He said Karachi greatly contributes to the country’s economy but regretted that the city’s development is being ignored.

Junaid Akbar said it is unprecedented that the government gave a stimulus package of 1200 billion rupees to support different segments of the society during these difficult times. He said cash assistance should also be given to the overseas Pakistanis rendered jobless by the coronavirus.

Armaghan Subhani said interest free loans should be given to the farmers to strengthen the agriculture sector. He said work on the development schemes initiated by previous government should be resumed and completed.

Shagufta Jumani said the PTI government has failed to fulfill the promises made with the poor and middle class in the general elections.

Saleem Rehman was appreciative of the government for presenting a tax free budget when Coronavirus has jolted the economies around the world including that of Pakistan. He said over the last two years, road infrastructure has been improved in Swat to promote tourism.

Dr Shahnaz Baloch said priority should be given to the development of Balochistan. She stressed for enhancing testing capacity for Coronavirus. She said short and long term strategies need to be evolved to cope with the pandemic.

The Speaker took serious notice of the indecent and un-parliamentary remarks made by some members in the house yesterday.  He said being the custodian of the house, he will take action against those members either they are from the treasury or the opposition benches. He said we have to ensure the prestige and dignity of the house.

Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said according to the rules, the members can criticize or raise objections but cannot resort to language ridiculing or humiliating anybody.  He said rules also need to be framed to curb fake news.

Chaudhary Faqir Ahmad said tax relief has been given to the industrial sector in the budget but it carries no relief for the agriculture sector. He said the government should pay attention to the internal and external threats faced by the country.

Dr Ramesh Kumar stressed for improving the health infrastructure in the country to cope with the challenge such as Covid-19. He said credit goes to the present government for reducing the current account deficit.

Shazia Marri said government should set realistic targets for the next fiscal year. She said seriousness should be shown to deal with locusts. She said salaries of employees should be enhanced at least by five to ten percent as given by Sindh government.

Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari said the opposition parties should support the ruling party for creation of South Punjab province.

Ali Gohar Khan said the government has failed to deliver on its promises.

Faizullah Kamoka regretted the way the political leaders plundered the country in the past. He said he firmly believes that Prime Minister Imran Khan is an honest leader who can steer the country out of all crises.

Hamid Hameed regretted the economic growth has gone into negative under the present government which was about 5.8 in the previous regime.

Aftab Hussain Siddiqui described the budget 2020-21 people friendly. He said the government has cut its expenditures and enhanced allocations for Ehsaas program.

Gul Zafar Khan said online classes should immediately be started for the students in tribal districts. He said the problems faced by tribal areas should be addressed on priority basis.

Kheal Das expressed satisfaction that the situation of minorities in Pakistan is far better when compared with India where Modi government has unleashed persecution campaign against Muslims.

Wajiha Akram said the government has presented a balanced budget. She said government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan will take forward the country on the path of development.

Syed Mehmood Shah said the government has once again ignored the smaller provinces in the pretext of deteriorating economy. He urged the government to allocate sufficient resources to address the backwardness of Balochistan.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi proposed that budgetary allocations for agriculture sector should be enhanced. He said the government should fix the support price of wheat at 1,700 rupees per forty kilograms. He said farmers should be provided best quality wheat seed to get maximum yield.

Shamim Ara Panhwar said provinces’ share in the National Finance Commission award should not be reduced. She said a special package should be given to farmers to procure seed and fertilizers.

Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali welcomed government’s decision for including the establishment of Chitral University in the Public Sector Development Programme.

Others who participated in the budget debate today included: Waheed Alam Khan, Ramesh Lal, Zahoor Hussain Qureshi, Nisar Ahmad Cheema, Imran Khattak, Rana Iradat Sharif, Mansoor Hayat Khan, Chaudhry Abid Raza, Iqbal Muhammad Ali, Ali Nawaz Awan, Mussarat Rafiq, Mehboob Shah, Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Malik Afreen Khan, Ghulam Muhammad Lali, Sajid Toori, Ali Khan Jadoon, Syed Mehmood Shah, Sher Ali Arbab, and Ayesha Rajab Ali.

The House will now meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow.