ISLAMABAD: The battle lines were drawn on Sunday as the government vowed to get the budget passed from National Assembly on Monday (today) at all costs after opposition parties rejected the budget for the new fiscal year 2020-21.
A day before the crucial voting on the budget in National Assembly, speaking at a presser federal minister for Information Shibli Faraz along with Minister for Communications Murad Saeed and Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar, minutes after the opposition rejected the budget, said, 'The opposition will get to know on Monday [today] when the budget sails through National Assembly smoothly'.
"Today's media talk by the opposition shows that they are not sincere with the country," said Faraz, brushing aside all the concerns raised by the opposition.
The minister went on to say that two major political parties [PPP and PML-N] are responsible for the current plight of the people, adding the opposition has no sympathy or interest in the poor people.
He said that it is inexplicable how people like Nawaz, Shehbaz, Maryam and Shahid Khaqan of the PML-N are mocking us, adding they have become addicted to the lure of corruption.
"InshaAllah, the federal budget will be approved on Monday [today]," said the information minister with full confidence.
"The opposition's delusions will all be wiped clean tomorrow when the budget will be passed with full force."
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's steadfastness restored the global identity of the country and nation. He said that the opposition has no sympathy for poor segment of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Azhar completely dismissed the outcry by the opposition over the budget proposed for the fiscal year 2020-21, saying it was merely an attempt at political point-scoring.
"The opposition criticised the federal budget for maintaining its previous tradition...we presented a tax free and balanced budget despite financial constraints to provide relief to the public," he added.
The minister said that the oil prices had never seen such a drastic reduction as they had in the incumbent government's tenure, adding the PML-N must not forget that Rs35 was increased when they were in power back in 2014.
Azhar said that he had not even presented the budget and the opposition "had already rejected it".
"I was expecting that since we are facing a grave health emergency, the situation will be different, but to our disappointment the opposition has succumbed to their old habit of looking to their own interests and not the country's."
"We had reduced the petrol prices previously. The new hike in prices is not because of the taxes levied but because of the surge in petrol prices in international markets.
"Please make your facts straight," said the minister.
He said that to meet the challenge of global pandemic, the government ensured provision of Ehsaas Emergency cash to over 16 million deserving families across the country. He said the relief package was also announced for over 3 million businessmen to overcome their financial difficulties.
He said the criticism of opposition on increase of petroleum prices is baseless as petrol prices are still lower in Pakistan as compare to other regional countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed said the PTI-led government is well aware about the problems of the people and it is working on fast track to provide all possible facilities.
Two Hundred panahgahs (refuges) across the country have been established on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan to provide shelter to the labour class.
He said reforms are being introduced in different departments and soon improvement will be witnessed.
He said that Punjab and KP governments have provided Sehat Insaaf cards to deserving families.
He questioned the Sindh government that where it has spent the amount allocated for health, education and poverty alleviation in the province.
He expressed hope that the country will move forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan with support of the nation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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