When a new government is formed, the most awaited thing is the budget that is designed for people. Budget is the most important thing as the future of the public depends on it. This is the thing on which politicians get votes. Now as we all know that the new budget is formed but at that time it was considered better that no dispute should be created at that time.
The opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif got a chance on Wednesday in the national assembly and criticized it. Mr Sharif got the opportunity and talked about several issues including International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans, stock exchange market and price of dollar. His speech lasted for three hours. He also demanded the presence of governing part in the assembly as they were selected by the public and it was their duty to be in the assembly.
Sharif highlighted the difficulties faced by the PML-N government during their tenure. He said that they faced a major shortage of electricity when they came into government in 2013. There was about 20 hours of load shedding and it was very hard to tackle it. Then came the opposition of PTI, who blocked the roads and stayed on containers for seven months that damaged the economy. Also when the PTI leaders were requested to leave D-Chowk for only three days due to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, they refused and eventually his visit was cancelled and postponed until road were cleared. He further said that PTI said they will produce enough electricity in KPK that it will be enough for whole Pakistan but they could only manage -6 megawatt as compared to that 11,000 megawatt electricity was produced during Nawaz Sharif’s era.
He criticised the government by saying that PTI’s government is burdening the people. Even the currencies of Afghanistan and Bangladesh are higher in value than our currency. Now we are not even able to give a healthy competition to our neighbouring country India that we used to do. He informed that poor are protesting against the budget presented as it is not very affordable for them. Not only the poor but also the rich are feeling the pressure of the budget. He said that the price of dollar is increasing so much that may be when he finishes his speech it will reach to 170.
Considering Prime Minister’s address of 11 June and talking about the commission made to look into the matter of debts, he said that they should also examine the loans taken in Musharraf’s era and also loan taken by PTI in KPK. He further said that Mr Khan is continuously mentioning not giving NROs but never explain to people who asked for it and when asked for it. He is saying things without evidence. Then coming to the budget he said that it is completely rejected as it is slitting the throat of a common man. There would be a hole of Rs 500 billion in their revenue target and 70 per cent of the indirect taxes have been increased.
He claimed that the budget presented was dictated and led by IMF and the steps taken are going to turn Pakistan into hell rather than their claims of making it a heaven for people. He said that the government will compromise such national interest that they will destroy the country economically as well as politically. He said government took loan of about Rs 10,000 billion and not a single project of their own has started, they even forgot about the 5 million houses that they promised will be made. Not even a stone is laid for it. He said that it is still not too late to come out and accept that they have made blunders and ask for forgiveness and public will restart the matter adding to that he said that opposition may give allowance for this.
He presented some conditions on behalf of the opposition which included taking back or “anti-people” budget. Raising the wages up to 20,000, salaries of 16-Grade officers to be increased 50 per cent, tax exemption for people earning Rs 1 Lac per month, ghee should be sold tax free, health and education budget should be increased and health care should be free and immediate notice of the concluding of the zero rate industry by the government.
