The opposition senators Thursday staged a token walkout from Senate over looming increase in power tariff by Rs 1.12 per unit, terming it a bombshell on poor masses, who are already in the clutches of unannounced power loadshedding. He pointed out that hike in power tariff is the third increase within 10 days since PML-N-led government took over and is continuously increasing the tariff without providing electricity to citizens.
"Those who take decisions to raise power tariff on a daily basis have their vested interest as they own IPPs," he said, and staged a token walkout from the House. Later, speaking on a point of order, Senator Raza Rabbani of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) flayed the government for keeping the House in dark over US, Taliban peace talks in Doha despite assurance to inform the House about Pakistan's role in the talks.
"This is strange that the leader of the House assured us Wednesday that he would inform the MPs on the issue but today backtracked from his commitment," Rabbani added. Raja Zafar reiterated that he would arrange a briefing for the House over the issue, but stated that the dialogue process is at the early stage and let something important happen. He said he adopted a cautious approach as Afghan President Hamid Karzai seems uncomfortable.
Rabbani said both the government and opposition should be on the same page when important foreign policy matters are discussed as it revolves around the sovereignty of the country. US Secretary of State John Kerry has dramatically cancelled his visit to Pakistan despite knowing its role in the talks with the Taliban, he added.
Taking part in budget debate, Saleem Mandviwala said that 10 percent increase in the salaries of government employees is not enough in the wake of high inflation. He criticised giving access to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to bank accounts, saying it is against Economic Act-1992 and will damage the confidence of people. Farah Aqil‚ Mohsin Leghari‚ Haji Ghulam Ali‚ Naseema Ehsan‚ Mukhtar Ahmed Dhamrah and Muhammad Zafarullah Khan also took part in the budget debate. They said that poor have been overburdened with taxes in the new budget.
They criticised the government for imposing more taxes on pilgrims. They suggested that a sufficient amount should be allocated for the improvement of irrigation system to bring barren land under cultivation. They said prices of fertiliser should be reduced and subsidy should be given to farmers on electricity. They also suggested that big hydel projects including Kalabagh Dam should be constructed to address the issue of electricity shortage.
The members also appreciated enhancement of allocations for welfare of youth and higher education commission and proposed to allocate more funds for Balochistan to improve law and order situation there. The members also appreciated fifty percent increase in public sector development programme. However‚ they described the extra burden on the taxpayers and one percent increase in the GST as unfair, adding ten percent increase in salaries of government employees does not meet the inflation. The House was adjourned to meet again on Friday at 10am.
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