The National Assembly continued discussion on the budget for next financial year.

Taking part in the discussion, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani suggested withdrawing tax on life saving drugs. He, however, welcomed the tax on luxury items. He urged all the politicians to shun their differences and sit together on the dialogue table to evolve a joint strategy in order to steer the country out of crises.

Shahida Akhtar Ali proposed to increase budgetary allocations for the education and health sectors.  She also called for enhancing salaries and wages of the working class.

Ali Zahid said the government has presented a balanced budget. He said stock exchange is booming and international financial institutions are expressing confidence in Pakistan’s economy due to the prudent and untiring efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government of Pakistan. He said gradual decrease in inflation and petroleum prices indicates that country’s economy is heading towards the right direction.

Syed Amin-ul-Haque commended the budget for having sufficient allocations for defence, education and development. He also appreciated the relief measures suggested in the budget that include increase in salaries, minimum wages and pension to provide relief to the common people.

Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar said farmers should be given direct subsidy and there should be more facilitation for the agriculture sector. He said a medical college should be established in district Muzaffargarh.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah stressed the need for enhancing the tax net instead of overburdening the existing taxpayers.

Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the government presented a balanced budget despite tough economic conditions. He said the inflation rate has also reduced from 25 percent to 12 percent.

Riaz Fatyana called for creating job opportunities for the youth of the country.

Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood criticized the budgetary proposals. He said funds should be allocated to the education sector, especially for scholarships. He also called for the completion of Layyah-Taunsa Bridge.

Syed Waseem Hussain said that the government should take effective steps to facilitate poor segments of society.

Shazia Marri said the tax net should be enhanced instead of burdening the salaried class or the people registered with FBR. She said healthcare equipment or medicines should be exempted from tax to provide better health facilities to the masses.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardrai has stressed the need to work together and reject the divisive politics for the sake of the people of Pakistan. She said we must work for finding ways to provide relief to the common man and help farmers.

Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar hailed the Punjab government on reducing price of the bread, launching clinics on wheels project and distributing electric e-bikes among female students.

Shandana Gulzar Khan criticized the budget for imposing 18 percent duty on medicines and healthcare equipment.

Those, who spoke on the occasion, include Ali Muhammad Khan, Aliya Kamran, Syed Hussain Tariq, Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, Jawed Hanif Khan, Nisar Jutt, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Junaid Anwar, Fateh Ullah Khan, Shagufta Jumani, and Adil Khan Bazai. 

The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at 11:00 am.