ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati appreciated the government for allocating hefty amount of Rs 380 billion for energy sector and suggested that maximum of it should be diverted towards hydel projects which had an immense potential of generating low cost energy.
He also called for arresting ‘big fishes’ involved in mega corruption cases in order to put the country on path to progress and prosperity. He said that people of Balochistan had rendered supreme sacrifices and maximum facilities should be given to remove sense of deprivation among them. He added that the government had allocated limited funds for National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and urged to enhance budgetary allocation for this important authority. He also said it was need of the hour to broaden the tax net and demanded that indirect taxation should be removed in order to ensure transparency in taxation system.
Pakistan Peoples’ Party leader (PPP) Taj Haider alleged that the incentives announced for agriculture would benefit landlords and middle man rather than the poor farmers. He said that no incentive was given for the overseas Pakistanis who sent more remittances than our total country exports. He also said that it was not a wise decision to get loans for overcoming budget deficit. He added that the imported lobby had ruined the local industry and the same elements played role in closing down Pakistan steel mills.
Senator Ahmed Hassan said that Malakand division suffered economic losses due to law and order disruptions and the government should announce incentives for the region. Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Saud Majeed described the budget as a balance and said that economic indicators were improving gradually and inflation had come down to a single digit. He also called for building Kalabagh dam as it was very vital for national economy and it should not be politicized.
