A Pakistan People's Party lawmaker from Peshawar on Monday stunned the National Assembly by levelling corruption charges against his own government, claiming that all government departments had been taking 16 percent commission on development projects.
A young and visibly frustrated MNA Noor Alam Khan, has often appeared on different TV talk shows for defending his party and government. However, he smartly exposed the state of his own party's governance, saying that as much as 16 percent commission was being taken in every department on each development project. He urged the government to take steps against this menace before it is too late.
He made these remarks in his speech during the debate on the federal budget in the Lower House of the Parliament. In addition to this, the contractors as well as the Members Parliament have reportedly their own share in the development projects, he further disclosed. What would be the state of economy and the misery of the poor man in the country if such kind of corruption persists in the country, he maintained.
He also requested the government not to implement the plan of raising power tariff by 17 percent from July 1. Moreover, the MNA also sought reduction in the prices of diesel to give relief to the lower class.
Noor also said that there are also internally displaced Parliamentarians from NWFP as majority of us could not go to our own constituencies and we and our families are under the threat of terrorists. Soon after his speech, PPP chief whip Syed Khursheed Shah and some other party members rushed to his bench. Khursheed Shah apparently scolded the MNA for alleging the government on the floor of the House.
Earlier, PML-N Secretary Information Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal criticised the government for slashing funds from the last PSDP instead of cutting the current expenditure. He proved that there is no government's effort in reducing current account deficit, it is due to the reduction in the oil prices in international market, adding that it would much better if deficit was reduced by increasing exports and making more investment.
He also rejected the government's plea of increasing foreign exchange reserves, saying that the reserves were increased due to $7 billion World Bank loan, which is ever highest in the history of Pakistan. Each Pakistani, he said, owes of Rs 3000 foreign loan and our generation would pay this for years.
The PML-N lawmaker also criticised the government for not raising education and health budget as per requirements. Ahsan said that there is need to change the education system and make it purposeful and skill driven besides taking steps to control school dropouts as these children are being used for suicide bombing. He stressed for improving quality in productivity to compete in international market for making a knowledge-based economy.
Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal said the government took major initiatives to develop agriculture sector and adopted policies which resulted in enhancing agriculture produce and ensuring food security.
He said the government has also planned steps to ensure sustainable economic growth particularly of food items. Nawab Ali Wassan stressed the need of initiating alternate energy sources and urged the government to expedite exploitation of Thar coal reservoirs and install coal power stations in Sindh to overcome power shortage that would also help in generating employment.
He said the size of Benazir Income Support Programme has been doubled with an objective to provide financial support to more deserving people. Dr Ayub Sheikh called upon the government to take more steps for ensuring peace in the society that is vital for increasing investment. He also emphasised for provincial autonomy and announcement of National Finance Commission award.
Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said there is no doubt in the good intention of the government that is making its utmost efforts to normalise the situation in the country but challenges are so grave that without forging unity we cannot overcome these. He suggested the government to devise a plan to further upgrade Karachi Port so that it can handle big vessels.
Due to the government poor policy, Pakistani investors even prefer Bangladesh for investment. He urged the government to take pragmatic steps to boost export of Pakistani defence production.
Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali said the government has taken visible steps for development of human resource that is backbone of the national economy. She said budget allocation for health, education and training have almost been doubled that would help improve performance of these sectors.
Tariq Mehmood Bajwa said that President Asif Ali Zardari has made tremendous efforts to apprise the international community about the challenges being faced by the country. He said the government on internal front is also making hectic efforts to bring quality changes in the life of poor people. Memona Hashmi urged the government to take concrete steps for increasing literacy rate besides expanding facilities of higher education in all parts of the country. She said women in the rural areas are facing hardships particularly in southern part of the country that needs special attention of the government.
Sheikh Salahuddin suggested decrease in electricity and gas tariff to facilitate common man and economic growth. He urged the government to concentrate more on research and development to boost industrial sector.
Ramesh Lal proposed to withdraw tax on SMS on mobile phones besides giving more increase in the salaries of low grade employees. Syed Haider Ali Shah emphasised the need for allocating more funds for the development of NWFP that has been badly hit by the war on terror. He suggested socio-economic reforms in the affected areas of the province including Fata.
Comments
Comments are closed.