ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly on Monday passed the Federal Budget 2020-21 moved by the Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar with a majority vote.
In his remarks on the floor of the House, Hammad Azhar said that the government has presented a tax-free budget 2020-21 and it envisages relief measures not only for the construction sector but also for the promotion of mobile phone manufacturing and electric vehicles.
The minister said that duties and taxes on imports of 1,600 raw materials have been brought to zero.
Hammad Azhar said that it is the first time that the annual development plan carries the biggest allocations for Balochistan and Sindh.
The minister clarified that the government has not increased the sales tax or petroleum development levy on petroleum products. He said that their prices have been increased keeping in view the upward trend in the international oil market. He said that mafias in oil, sugar, and flour will be brought to justice.
Earlier responding to the point of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary Leader Khawaja Asif, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that no COVID-19 positive member has been invited to attend the proceedings today.
Qureshi said that we are not irresponsible, adding that 40 hours were fixed for debate on the budgetary proposals but the members held discussion more than the allotted time.
The PML-N Parliamentary Leader Khawaja Asif said that the government should provide relief to the masses. He regretted the increase in the prices of petroleum products.
In his remarks at the House, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the people of Pakistan have given the mandate to Prime Minister Imran Khan and he will not resign. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan enjoys the confidence of the house.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not make any compromise on its ideology. He said that the PTI and its allies stand by the ideology of Imran Khan.
Responding to the points of Khawaja Asif regarding Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that the mandate of the present government is to clean the mess left by the previous governments. He regretted that the previous governments destroyed the institutions in the name of democracy.
The minister said that it was on the directions of the Supreme Court that the data of PIA employees inducted over the last 10 years was scrutinized. He said that the inquiry proved political appointments were made in the national flag carrier in complete violation of merit. He said that action will be taken against fake degree holders.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticized the PTI government for increasing the prices of petroleum products, saying that it will add to the woes of the masses and lead to a price hike.
Bilawal Bhutto said that our aim should be providing relief to the people. He was also critical of the increase in the prices of flour, sugar, and medicines.
The Minister for Communications Murad Saeed said that Pakistan will move forward on the path of development under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Murad Saeed rejected the remarks made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against the Coronavirus strategy of the government. He said that the European Countries are now also adopting smart lockdown policy.
The minister said that the present government gave the historic Ehsaas Program and enhanced its allocations to over Rs 200 billion. He said that our Sehat Insaf Card Scheme is providing free of cost medical treatment to the people.
