The Senate has commenced discussion on the finance bill 2024-25.

Opening the debate, Leader of the Opposition Shibli Faraz said the budget for next fiscal year carries no economic vision to steer the country out of debt trap. He welcomed the enhancement in minimum wage but regretted the increase in the taxes on salaried class.

Participating in the debate, Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui said there is no crisis in the country as all the institutions are working and the parliament is functional. He defended the government’s taxation measures saying widening the tax base is important to take the country towards self-reliance and execute projects for the welfare of the people.

Saifullah Abro said the health sector has been neglected in the budget. He called for providing more relief to the salaried class.

Felicitating the government for presenting a balanced budget, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt said that the government took tough decisions to steer the country on the path of economic stability. She said the potential se
ctors should be brought into the tax net instead of putting more burden on those already paying taxes.

Aimal Wali Khan said the budget will further complicate the economic situation.

Taj Haider called for taking concrete steps to strengthen the industrial sector. He said prices of fertilizers should be reduced to provide relief to the farmers.

Muhammad Ismail Buledi appreciated the government for allocating more funds for Benazir Income Support Program. He also welcomed the insurance scheme for the journalist community.

Source: Radio Pakistan