Poor, middle class ignored in federal budget: MQM

Karachi
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday rejected the Federal Budget 2015-16 on grounds of it being indifferent to the problems of the poor; the party announced to oppose the budget in the National Assembly.
MQM’S Member National Assembly and convener Coordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar while addressing a press conference at the Khursheed Memorial Hall said the budget conveniently trampled upon the issues of the lower income classes and would increase the sufferings of the salaried class.
Demanding to bring down sales tax on electricity, gas and oil to nine percent, he said the incentive would not only reduce the burden of households but also help small industries to run their businesses efficiently.
Calling into question the government’s promises of complete tax recovery, he lamented the government for mentioning an expenditure of Rs4.5 trillion when it managed to recover only Rs2.5 trillion.
Slamming the increase in POL prices, Sattar said the prices should instead have been slashed so as to reduce transport fares.
He also called for imposition of agriculture tax on feudal lords. “Those earning billions should also be compelled to pay taxes.”
He further opined that the cottage industry was hardly focused upon while the health and education budgets were also not given appropriate increases.
While referring to Karachi as the financial hub of the country, Sattar expressed disappointment over allocation of Rs16 billion out of a total Rs1.5 billion budget reserved for development.
He also severely criticised allocation of Rs1 billion for the K-IV water project which he claimed was not enough for the completion of the project. He also demanded to allocate Rs2 billion for the Karachi Circular Railway project from the total expenditure being done on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
“The federal budget also sidelined the local police whereas no financial accountability was ascertained for the National Action Plan,” he further added. He also demanded to introduce allowances for private sector employees.