The Senate today also continued debate on the new Federal Budget for the next fiscal year. Taking part in the debate, PML-N Leader Chaudhry Tanvir Khan urged the political parties to sit together on charter of economy to put Pakistan on path of development and prosperity. He said government has successfully revamped economy, overcome energy crisis and defeated terrorism in the country. He said an investment of about fifty billion dollars have come under China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor.

PML-F Leader Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said that the government should focus special attention on agriculture sector. He said that standardized seeds and fertilizers should be provided to farmers on affordable rates to get best yields. He said this year cash crops like cotton and wheat achieved their targets and now Pakistan is exporting wheat.

PTI Leader Samina Saeed said that government presented an election budget which can never be termed as pro-people. She said new dams should be constructed in the country to meet the energy and irrigations requirements.

Immamuddin Shouqeen of PPP said the government should immediately withdraw increase in petroleum prices.

PPP Leader Mian Raza Rabbani said that the government should not have presented this budget as it is the prerogative next government to present budget for the whole fiscal year. He said regretted that the current budget was presented without NFC award.

Mian Raza Rabbani was of the view that new budget is anti-people and anti-labourer. He severely criticized tax amnesty scheme and termed it a tool to whiten black money.

PTI leader John Kenneth Williams said the budget has not provided any relief to rural population. He said job quota reserved for minorities should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Nauman Wazir Khattak of PTI said the budget will contribute nothing to take the country forward. He said tax base will have to be expanded to strengthen economy and development.

PTI Leader Fida Muhammad said backward areas have been totally ignored in the budget.

Taking floor of the Senate, opposition leader Sherry Rehman condemned police torture on peaceful journalists, who were holding a demonstration to mark World Press Freedom Day in Islamabad today. She said several journalists were injured when police baton charged them. She said Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees press freedom. Force cannot be used against peaceful demonstrations in a democratic culture.

Leader of the House Raja Zafar-ul-Haq assured the Senators that complete investigation will be held in this matter as a vibrant democracy is not possible without ensuring freedom of the media.

Later, journalists in the media gallery staged walk out.

However, Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan, on the advice of chairman Senate brought back journalists. He said we condemn use of force against peaceful media persons. He assured that Minister for Information will give a policy statement about the incident tomorrow.

The chair said that the Ministers of Information and Interior should come to the House tomorrow and give a brief statement

Senators from various political parties condemned the use of force against journalists.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.