The debate over Pakistan’s proposed budget for the coming financial year in the National Assembly was intensified on Tuesday as tensions flared between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) MQM members.
PPPS Shazia Marri, in her address, called the critical government’s failure to advertise minimum wages for workers and called for a fair increase in government employees’ salary.
Her speech took an unexpected reversal when a heated exchange broke out between the PPP and MQM members, where they escalated tensions in the assembly.
When Shazia emphasized the importance of Karachi remaining an integral part of Sindh, MQM’s Asiya Ishaq approached PPP members, which led to an intervention from Aseefa Bhutto, Sahar Kamran and others.
Read: Budget: Will it strengthen technical economy or stop its promise?
This led to a tense exchange of hard words between both parties. Javed Hanif noted, “In humans have left Karachi, and now you threaten us.”
Meanhile Shazia also condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran as well as Israel’s aggression against Palestinians and India’s actions. She also praised the Iranian parliament for expressing gratitude to Pakistan.
She highlighted the Prime Minister’s decision to send a delegation abroad, which was led by Bilawal Bhutto. She paid tribute to Bilawal Bhutto for effectively representing Pakistan on the global scene and said, “Bilawal Bhutto has fought for Pakistan’s case everywhere and his success is our success. Bilawal has made us all proud.”
Shazia Marri also criticized the government for not tacking rising inflation and not communicating a minimum wage in the budget. She acknowledged that PPP had raised wages, but pointed out the government’s internal divisions over the budget. She strongly opposed 18% taxes on solar panels and called it unacceptable and says PPP does not support it.
Eventually, she noticed the opposition government’s performance and said, “Everyone has witnessed the government of this opposition. You have taken the highest amount of loan in history.”
Read more: Significant items prices rise after the federal budget
Mian Khan Bugti, who belonged to Pakistan Muslims League – Nawaz (PML -N), praised the government for having awarded 250 billion RS for the development of Balochistan and highlighted the focus on important connection projects in the province.
SYED AMIN-UL-HAQUE pointed to positive economic indicators, such as a reduction in inflation and growth in currency reserves and transfers. He noted that global financial institutions recognize the country’s economic recovery.
Shahida Begum raised concerns about the inadequacy of the budget for education and healthcare and called on the government to increase allocations for these sectors to 4% of GDP.
Read more: Teachers reject the budget, demand upgrades
In his speech, Ibrar Ahmed declared the budget as folk-friendly and said it is outlining a vision for national development.
Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltivity, highlighted the relief delivered to the employees and the public in the budget.
Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) President Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasized the need for innovative solutions to help the population and the proposed tax exemptions for employees earning up to Rs 2.2 million annually.
Syed Hussain Tariq emphasized the importance of supporting the agricultural sector to ensure food security for the country.
Other members also shared their perspectives on the budget. Mian Khan Bugti praised the award of RS 250 billion to Balochistan’s development with a focus on important connection projects in the province.
