In a significant move, Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Friday endorsed Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement demand for a new social contract among the federating units.
MQM parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar during the budget debate focussed on political issues, the federation and provincial autonomy along with some budget proposals.
Yet again, a chain of allegations and counter-allegations between MQM and MMA, as to who was spreading extremism and religious hatred, marred the proceedings.
Farooq Sattar, former Karachi mayor, viewed that the radical political and economic reforms and decentralisation of power, under a new social contract among the provinces, was panacea for all the ills.
However, the treasury benches did not appreciate his assertions.
"Peace and prosperity go hand in hand. Therefore, the factories producing terrorists in the name of religion at certain religious institutions must be eliminated once for all," MQM leader maintained.
It was a matter of serious concern, he noted that youth was trained at religious institutions and given the decree to kill innocent citizens in the name of Islam.
Sattar questioned, referring to MMA, that why mainstream religious parties openly avoided condemning the religious fanatics and those involved in acts of terror in Karachi and elsewhere.
About the budget, MQM leader feared that it lacked a strategy on how to arrest rapid price hike, curtailing purchasing power of the common man comprising over 70 percent of the population.
"The incidence of poverty is touching alarming proportions in the rural areas: A long-term plan of action is desperately needed to tackle this gigantic challenge," Dr Farooq pointed out.
MQM leader demanded of the government to cut prices of agriculture inputs and bring down gas and electricity tariff so as to give some relief to the farmer community.
MMA's Farid Paracha pointing out 'flaws' in the budget, said it was designed to further benefit the businessmen, traders and landlords.
The budget, he maintained, lacked any plan of action to arrest unemployment and spiralling prices of daily use commodities.
Safdar Shakir of the treasury benches appreciated the government for its decision to stop lending from the International Monetary Fund and retirement of most expensive loans.
Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani of PPPP expressed his concern over 'worsening' law and order, saying that economic situation would deteriorate further if drastic measures were not taken to improve security.
He said, "peace and prosperity go hand in hand. How can you expect business to flourish when people fear being killed or their business concerns torched? Local and foreign investors will not invest if law and order is to remain as it is."
The lawmaker said that an investor was like a sparrow, which would always look for peaceful lake to flourish and chirp.
Bijarani strongly opposed the construction of Kalabagh Dam, saying that the three provinces had already rejected the project and the elected assemblies passed resolutions thereon.
Dr Rozina Tufail praised the budget and spoke highly of 134 percent more allocation for education sector.
Referring to opposition walkout, she said there a striking difference between what they say and what they do in the House.
Meanwhile, journalists staged walkout from the Press Gallery against alleged threats hurled by MQM to a private television channel and non-implementation of the wage board.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Shiekh Rashid came to the Press Lounge and assured the newsmen that the government would take notice of the matter.
MQM MNA Kanwar Khalid Younus denied his party had issued any warning to the channel, saying MQM always stood by the journalist community and was in the lead in supporting the resolution on implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award.
Later, on the floor of the House, the information minister assured the journalists he would take the consensus resolution, recently passed by the Lower House to the Cabinet. "I am with journalists," he said.
Sheikh Rashid added he would fulfil his commitment made to the House that the resolution would be tabled before the Cabinet.
The Speaker, Chaudhry Amir Hussain, appreciated the information minister for his efforts, saying the wage board should be implemented.