Budget sans NFC illegal, says Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Friday that both the budget and the budget session of the PTI-led government are "illegal."

Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, which was being conducted under the chairmanship of Speaker Asad Qaiser, Bilawal said that it seems the government is playing the role of the opposition instead of running the country.

Criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan’s famous rhetoric, Bilawal said that likening the country — which is being ruled by an "illegitimate government" — to the state of Madina is not appropriate.

Speaking about the budget recently presented by the PTI-led government, Bilawal said the masses are aware of the fact that "claims of 4 percent growth are based on lies." "I think both this budget and the budget session are illegal," he said, adding that ever since the government has taken over, no new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award has been given to provinces.

"Every budget will be unconstitutional until the NFC Award is given," said Bilawal, adding that the budget has relief for the rich, but nothing for the poor. Shedding light on the growing inflation in thecountry, Bilawal said the PTI government has "abandoned people and left them in a destitute condition." He said that people will never forgive the government for further pushing them below the poverty line.

"If the budget raises petrol, gas, and electricity prices, then every Pakistani has to bear the burden of the government's incompetence," said Bilawal, adding that had there been economic growth, so many people would not be unemployed.

"The prime minister had promised to grant 10 million jobs to people, but on the contrary, even those who were previously employed have now been rendered jobless," the PPP chairman said.

Bilawal said that if the country has seen economic growth, as claimed by the PTI-led government, then why it has to "beg before the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?" "If the economy has significantly improved, then the government should immediately opt out of the IMF's deal," he said.

Taking a jibe at the government once again, Bilawal said that as per the Economic Survey, if nothing else, the population of donkeys has increased in the country, for which Prime Minister Imran Khan's policies must be lauded.

Bilawal further said that the PTI government did not even spare Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and burdened the people there with the imposition of taxes. He said that only Rs12 billion had been earmarked for the agricultural sector, which is the backbone of the economy. He said the budget embodies a storm of taxes and an economic attack on masses.

"The government has abandoned the farmer community. They have not even been provided with fertiliser subsidy," said Bilawal. Bilawal He said Inflation in Pakistan is higher than in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India. He said inflation was also there in the PPP era, there was a global economic crisis at that time, Pakistan was fighting terrorism, Pakistan faced two major floods, but the PPP introduced Benazir Income Support Programme and did not leave the people at the mercy of the situation. He said that when there was inflation in the PPP rule, it increased the salaries.

“We increased the overall salaries by 120 percent but how much did you increase,” he questioned, adding, “You did not increase salaries at all when people were worried about the coronavirus pandemic.”

He said this government has brought a tsunami of indirect taxes in this budget. Bilawal accused the foreign minister for leading the attack in Parliament and said he needs to take the issues of China, Saudi Arabia, India and the United States seriously.

Maulana Asad Mahmood said no relief has been given to the masses in the budget. He said the budget 2021-22 is unrealistic and it will further push up inflation. Ghous Bux Mahar of the GDA said special emphasis should be given to enhance agriculture productivity. He said subsidy should be given to the farmers on fertilisers.

Ayesha Ghaus Pasha of the PMLN said the tax collection proposals for the next fiscal year are inflationary. She said indirect taxes will add to the woes of the common man. Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh said the PSDP for next year envisages allocations for construction of major road infrastructure projects including Balkasar-Mianwali.

Sardar Talib Nakai said industrialisation is vital for a strong economy and intensive measures are needed in this regard. Yousuf Talpur of the PPP said step motherly treatment with Sindh must end now. He said more funds should be diverted to Sindh to accomplish various projects relating to road infrastructure and water resources sectors.

Farooq Azam Malik said the lollipop was given for the province of South Punjab, but nothing was allocated for Bahawalpur in the budget.

Meanwhile, Bilawal said while talking to media that the federal and Azad Kashmir governments were making elections disputed. In a reply to question, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the government levels false accusations on Sindh government.

He said the GDP per capita increased the most in Sindh, the lowest mortality rate is reported in Sindh and poverty has reduced the most in Sindh.