NA budget debate: PML-N govt made impossible things possible, says Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on Wednesday said the PML-N government made impossible things possible by completing a number of development projects across the country besides bringing peace in areas including North and South Waziristan and Karachi.

Taking part in the National Assembly budget debate, the defence minister spoke high about the PML-N government saying the incumbent government brought economic stability and controlled power loadshedding in the country during the past five years.

He said that commitment for development of the country could be gauged from the fact that the PML-N government made impossible projects like Tarbela-4, Lowari Tunnel, Kachhi Canal, Sahiwal and Haveli Bahdur Shah and Bikki Power projects possible.

Khurram Dastgir said the government had also completed projects such as Neelum Jhelum, Lowari Tunnel and Kachhi Canal, which had been facing delays over the last many decades.

The minister said that around 4,500 security forces personnel of one division had laid their lives for restoring peace in this area. Khurram said the country was put on path of progress and prosperity owing to the dynamic policies while efforts were also made to carry out development projects in all four provinces during the last five years.

He said despite repeated attacks on the elected government to remove it unconstitutionally, work on PML-N development agenda was not suspended.

Khurram Dastgir said the government always respected judiciary and its decision and Nawaz Sharif left the Prime Minister House within four hour after disqualification decision. At the same time, he maintained that the PML-N leadership and its workers fully respect all institutions but no one should snatch their right of criticism saying the PML-N was demanding for giving respect to sanctity of vote in the country.

He claimed that trial of PML-N supreme leader was not being carried out rather it was trial of supremacy of the people.

Ridiculing claims of the defence minister, the PTI parliamentarian Dr. Shireen Mazari said the PML-N government made the possible as impossible. “The PML-N government makes solution of Kashmir issue as impossible and while the Pak-Iran gas pipeline was also possible but the government made it impossible,” she said adding the government also could not improve relations with Afghanistan.

She said her party would unveil a plan in the next few days as to how Kashmir dispute can be resolved keeping in view the UN resolutions. She said Pakistan should condemn the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal as by doing so Washington has violated the international treaty.

She questioned as to why the concerned authorities were not taking action against drunken American diplomat who crushed a Pakistani to death in Islamabad. “President Trump has violated an international agreement while we are giving diplomatic indemnity to the US diplomat,” she said.

Nawab Wassan called for equal development of all the provinces. He said the country can be taken forward on the path of development by strengthening democracy and parliament. Ramesh Lal said the federal government did not initiate any scheme for the welfare of minorities.

Sabiha Nazir proposed that profit rate on national saving schemes which cater to the pensioners, senior citizens and widows should be enhanced. She appreciated the steps taken by the government to overcome power shortages.

Sheikh Salahuddin said indirect taxes should be reduced in order to provide relief to the common man.

Aliya Kamran said continuation of democratic setup is imperative to address the challenges faced by the country.

Amirullah Marwat said credit of restoring peace in the country goes to the security personnel. He said focus should be laid on the development of less developed areas.

Asyia Naaz Tanoli said it is the first time in the country’s history that an elected government has presented its sixth budget. She proposed that funds of Pakistan Baitul Mal should be further enhanced and its one window facility be made more effective so that the grievances of the poor lot could be addressed without any delay.

Abdul Sattar Bachani of PPP said emphasis should be given to the development of agriculture sector to enhance the country’s exports. He said water reservoirs should be built to overcome water shortages.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad said the purpose of constituting the committee is not aimed at challenging the authority of an institution. He said we respect the institutions but also wanted to bring facts before the masses.

Minister for Safron Abdul Qadir Baloch said any impediment in the way of the investigation will amount to creating hurdles in the way of holding free and transparent elections.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan of PTI regretted that the government has withdrawn subsidies on agriculture inputs. He said the government should extend maximum relief to the farmers.

Tahira Aurangzeb of PML-N said it is the first time that incentives have been announced in the budget for the film industry which will help produce quality films in the country.

Rafique Ahmad Jamali said gas should be provided to the areas in Sindh which is contributing seventy percent of gas to the system. He also voiced concerns over prolonged power outages in Sindh province. Amir Dogar said the budget carries no relief to the poor people. He said the prices of essential commodities will shoot up as a result of this budget.