NA continues discussion on Budget 2024-25
The National Assembly is diligently engaging in discussions regarding the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, signifying a continued focus on shaping the economic future of the nation.
The deliberations resumed in Islamabad’s Parliament House, under the guidance of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, marking another step in the assembly’s persistent efforts to finalize a budget that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Pakistani populace.
During the discussion, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani presented a noteworthy suggestion to remove taxes on life-saving drugs, demonstrating a commitment to healthcare accessibility. While advocating for this significant change, he also supported the imposition of taxes on luxury items, appealing to politicians across the spectrum to unite for developing cohesive strategies to navigate the country through its current challenges.
Shahida Akhtar Ali highlighted the critical need for increased budget allocations towards the education and health sectors. She further emphasized the importance of boosting the incomes of the working class to foster a more equitable economic landscape.
Ali Zahid offered a positive evaluation of the budget, labeling it balanced and highlighting the thriving stock market and the international financial community’s growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic direction under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. This confidence, according to Zahid, is partly due to the gradual decline in inflation and petroleum prices, signaling a move towards economic stability.
Syed Amin-ul-Haque lauded the budget for its adequate focus on defense, education, and development sectors, alongside proposed relief measures aimed at enhancing salaries, minimum wages, and pensions for the wider population.
Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar called for direct subsidies for farmers and further support for agriculture, including the establishment of a medical college in the Muzaffargarh district, to bolster rural health education and services.
Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Shazia Marri both stressed on expanding the tax base as a sustainable alternative to increasing the tax burden on the existing payers, with Marri specifically pointing out the need to exempt healthcare equipment and medicines from taxes to improve health services.
Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh acknowledged the challenges in presenting a balanced budget amidst tough economic conditions, yet noted a significant reduction in inflation from 25 percent to 12 percent as a testament to the government’s effective policies.
Riaz Fatyana and Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood voiced the necessity for creating more job opportunities for the youth and called for prioritizing education funding, particularly for scholarships, alongside infrastructural projects like the completion of the Layyah-Taunsa Bridge.
Syed Waseem Hussain urged the government to intensify efforts in supporting the country’s impoverished segments, reinforcing the general consensus among the assembly members regarding the imperative to focus on inclusivity and broad-based economic growth.
As the National Assembly continues its debate on the Budget for 2024-25, it is evident that the members are striving for a comprehensive plan that not only addresses immediate economic hurdles but also lays down a robust foundation for sustainable development, social welfare, and national prosperity.
