ISLAMABAD: The budget debate, once a pride of parliament, degenerated into a shouting slugfest on Wednesday as both opposition and treasury members kept accusing each other for the country's spiralling political and economic crises.

Taking part in the debate on Budget 2020-2021, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said that there existed no democracy in the country, which some people would accept later as at present, they were in disbelief because they were in power.

He said that his party would never bring a no-confidence motion against the prime minister as "we want democracy to flourish, but some people are bent upon 'disgracing' their parliament". "The parliament was shut down when the medics were treating the Covid-19 patients, which shows there is no democracy...it's true there is no democracy. Some will accept this today, while others will agree tomorrow," he regretted.

He said that the leaders should learn a lesson from the Fall of Dhaka and the martial law of Ziaul Haq, adding the government should accept its failure on Kashmir. "Under the leadership of PM Imran Khan, the country is going from bad to worse. But the irony of the matter is that no one is ready to accept it, which is a dangerous sign," he added.

The State Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and the Narcotics Control, Shehryar Afridi, said despite vast economic crunch, owing to the negative impacts of coronavirus, the government did not impose any new tax in the budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021 to facilitate people and the business community.

He said a budget at a time when coronavirus had paralyzed the world economy, a budget in which Rs20 billion for health and Rs64 billon for education sectors, was commendable.

He said that after the 18th amendment every province was allocating funds for these two sectors.

He said that huge amount was also allocated in the field of medicine, adding that Pakistan was now producing export quality medical products.

He said that the government also launched Panagah programme to provide shelter and food to poorest of the poor of the country.

Likewise, the allocations under Ehsaas programme were enhanced from Rs187 billion to Rs208 billion to facilitate low-income people.

He said that Imran Khan exposed Modi's fascist policies across the globe, adding that the neighboring countries of India including Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka realised the Indian approach was dangerous for the entire region.

He said that no political party of Pakistan would compromise on Kashmir issue and the nuclear programme of the country.

He also highlighted the importance of making Kashmir Committee more active to highlight Kashmir issue.

MNA James Iqbal said that proper attentions were required to improve direct taxation instead of focusing on indirect taxation.

He also highlighted the importance of imposing taxes on the agricultural sector.

Kishwar Zehra, of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) urged the government to announce a package for the skilled women who had been badly affected by the impacts of coronavirus.

Captain Jameel Ahmed Khan (retd) of PTI said despite the corona impacts, the government presented tax-free budget.

He said exports, industry and businesses were affected due to the spread of COVID-19, but there could not have been any better budget than the one presented by the government.

He said the government ensured social security of millions of deserving people and also provided packages to businessmen. He said that the share of National Finance Commission (NFC) award to provinces was reduced as there was low revenue collection. He urged the government to remove concern over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor budget.

He also urged the government to enhance developmental allocation for Karachi, which has been contributing a major portion in tax collection of the country.

Murtaza Javed Abbasi of the PML-N said salaries of government employees should be enhanced keeping in view the inflation, adding the government failed to achieve the economic targets set for the current fiscal year. He said the tourist spots should be reopened with the SOPs. Riaz Fatyana said a timeframe should be given for the re-opening of schools and colleges.

He said universities should be established at the tehsil level, to promote higher education in the country.