National Assembly Speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza on Sunday said that the defence budget would be discussed in the parliament in detail in future as the PPP had broken the taboo for the first time in the country's history.
Talking to media persons in her chamber, she said that the government and opposition manifested practical reconciliation during the budget session. She said that credit for this reconciliation went to opposition, as well as the government. A record 200 members from both sides gave their views on the budget after it was presented in the National Assembly, she added.
She appreciated the Prime Minister and his Cabinet members for attending the budget session. Most of the ministers were available for answering questions of the MNAs, she said.
"We have started presenting defence budget in the parliament and next time it would be discussed in more detail," she said in reply to a question. She said that work on the budget for the next financial year would be started from October-November. Standing committees of parliament would consider recommendations for the next budget and chairmanship would be decided later, she said.
She said that decision in this connection was delayed as certain chairmen of opposition parties were to be removed. Meanwhile, Law Minister Farooq Naek said that release of judges' salaries through Finance Bill showed his party's seriousness in reinstatement of the deposed judges. Talking to media persons outside parliament after approval of the Finance Bill, he said that the number of judges had been increased through Finance Bill, and 'constitutional package' would also soon be tabled in National Assembly.
He said that judges' seniority would not be disturbed, and added that they would be restored according to their pre-November 3 seniority.