NA passes Finance Bill 2010; PML-N stages walk out
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has passed Finance Bill 2010 giving effect to the budget worth 3259 billion rupees for the next financial year while MNA’s of Pakistan Muslim League-N staged a walk out.
The Bill was moved by Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and the House adopted the amendments moved by the Finance Minister in the Bill. The opposition members opposed various amendments moved by the government in the Finance Bill while the House rejected all amendments moved by the Opposition members.
A tax collection target of 1667 billion rupees has been fixed for the next financial year which will be nine point eight percent of Tax to GDP ratio. The budget deficit for the next fiscal year has been estimated at 685 billion rupees which will be four percent of the GDP.
An amount of 1033 billion rupees will be transferred to the provinces under the 7th NFC award compared to 655 billion rupees during the outgoing financial year.
The new federal budget provides 663 billion rupees for development activities at federal and provincial levels including 280 billion rupees for the federal government.
A number of measures have been taken in the new budget to benefit lower classes of the society which are facing great hardships due to price hike. One of the salient features of the next federal budget is grant of ad hoc allowance to the government employees equal to fifty percent of their basic pay. Similarly, pensioners who retired after 2001 will be allowed 15% increase and those who retired prior to 2001 will get 20 percent increase in their pensions.
Custom duty on twenty-nine items has been reduced while General Sales Tax on food items has been withdrawn in the budget.
Fifty billion rupees have been earmarked for Benazir Income Support Programme for targeted subsidy to the deserving people.
A new programme to provide employment to the rural unskilled workers will be launched during the next financial year in which pilot scheme will be initiated in 120 Union Councils of twelve under-developed districts of the country.
Early completion of development projects will be the key objective of the public sector development programme for the next year in which special efforts would be made to complete 300 megawatt Chashma Nuclear Power Plant besides construction of 1800 kilometers long highways throughout the country. The government will also take concrete measures to enhance power generation to overcome energy crisis during the next financial year.
Leader of the Opposition Ch. Nisar Ali Khan noted that for the first time in the political and democratic history of the country such a long debate took place on the budget.
Members gave valuable input and the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and other members of the treasury deserve credit for listening to the criticism with patience.
He pointed out that last year the budget was unanimously approved but this year the Government has not incorporated any of the amendments proposed by the opposition members.
He argued that except for increase in the salaries of the government employees, no relief has been provided to the common man and instead relief has been given to well-to-do people. He said the PML(N) would neither own the budget nor vote for it.
Riaz Hussain Pirzada appreciated increase in share of provinces to58% from the federal divisible pool and demanded abolition of unnecessary departments. He congratulated the Prime Minister for his policy of reconciliation and the Finance Minister for his speech and said he has rekindled the ray of hope among people.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said around fifty percent proposals of the opposition were acknowledged and incorporated in the budget.
He said 161 members participated in the debate on budgetary proposals for 12 days, consuming 39 hours and 37 minutes. He said expenditures of Presidency and PM House have been frozen.
Finance Bill 2010 passed in NA
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has passed Finance Bill 2010 giving effect to the budget worth 3259 billion rupees for the next financial year.
The Bill was moved by Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and the House adopted the amendments moved by the Finance Minister in the Bill. The opposition members opposed various amendments moved by the government in the Finance Bill while the House rejected all amendments moved by the Opposition members.
A tax collection target of 1667 billion rupees has been fixed for the next financial year which will be nine point eight percent of Tax to GDP ratio. The budget deficit for the next fiscal year has been estimated at 685 billion rupees which will be four percent ofthe GDP.
An amount of 1033 billion rupees will be transferred to the provinces under the 7th NFC award compared to 655 billion rupees during the outgoing financial year.
The new federal budget provides 663 billion rupees for development activities at federal and provincial levels including 280 billion rupees for the federal government.
A number of measures have been taken in the new budget to benefit lower classes of the society which are facing great hardships due to price hike. One of the salient features of the next federal budget is grant of ad hoc allowance to the government employees equal to fifty percent of their basic pay. Similarly, pensioners who retired after 2001 will be allowed 15% increase and those who retired prior to 2001 will get 20 percent increase in their pensions.
Custom duty on twenty-nine items has been reduced while General Sales Tax on food items has been withdrawn in the budget.
Fifty billion rupees have been earmarked for Benazir Income Support Programme for targeted subsidy to the deserving people.
A new programme to provide employment to the rural unskilled workers will be launched during the next financial year in which pilot scheme will be initiated in 120 Union Councils of twelve under-developed districts of the country.
Early completion of development projects will be the key objective of the public sector development programme for the next year in which special efforts would be made to complete 300 megawatt Chashma Nuclear Power Plant besides construction of 1800 kilometers long highways throughout the country. The government will also take concrete measures to enhance power generation to overcome energy crisis during the next financial year.
Leader of the Opposition Ch. Nisar Ali Khan noted that for the first time in the political and democratic history of the country such along debate took place on the budget.
Members gave valuable input and the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and other members of the treasury deserve credit for listening to the criticism with patience.
He pointed out that last year the budget was unanimously approved but this year the Government has not incorporated any of the amendments proposed by the opposition members.
He argued that except for increase in the salaries of the government employees, no relief has been provided to the common man and instead relief has been given to well-to-do people. He said the PML(N) would neither own the budget nor vote for it.
Riaz Hussain Pirzada appreciated increase in share of provinces to58% from the federal divisible pool and demanded abolition of unnecessary departments. He congratulated the Prime Minister for his policy of reconciliation and the Finance Minister for his speech and said he has rekindled the ray of hope among people.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said around fifty percent proposals of the opposition were acknowledged and incorporated in the budget.
He said 161 members participated in the debate on budgetary proposals for 12 days, consuming 39 hours and 37 minutes. He said expenditures of Presidency and PM House have been frozen.
US says focused on Pakistan energy needs
WASHINGTON: The United States is focused on meeting Pakistan’s growing energy needs, the State Department said in remarks Wednesday which indicated Washington’s openness to the possibility of future civilian nuclear cooperation with the key South Asian ally.
“We are focused on Pakistan’s energy needs. But as we said last week, right now, that does not include civilian nuclear energy,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said in response to a question at the daily briefing.
The spokesman’s comments echoed the Obama Administration’s position on Islamabad’s quest for civilian nuclear deal since last month’s Strategic Dialogue between the two anti-terror allies.
Washington has not ruled out the idea of future cooperation in civilian nuclear field but currently is assisting Pakistan with power generation programs in other fields.
Crowley also reaffirmed US confidence in the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear assets.
“I’m not going to break any new ground here. I think various U.S. leaders have expressed confidence in the security of the Pakistani weapons,” the spokesman stated in response to questions by Indian journalists.
The State Department’s comments follow President Barack Obama’s firm expression of confidence this week in the security of Pakistani nuclear arsenal.
NA approves Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw as new name for NWFP
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly approved to rename the NWFP as Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw with majority of votes, Geo News reported Thursday.
The members of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) suggested to the House the amendments in Section-3 of the Bill relating the name of the NWFP. However, Chairman Constitutional Reforms Committee of the Parliament Mian Raza Rabbani baulked at the proposals.
The name of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw was adopted with 264 votes of support. At least 20 votes were against the new proposed name.
President summons Parliament’s joint session on April 5
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called the joint session of Parliament to be held on April 5, Geo reported Friday.
According to sources, the joint session was called following a meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani at the Aiwn-e-Sadr.
6 militants killed; 4 schools blown up in tribal areas
PESHAWAR: Six militants were killed in fresh bombardment carried out by security forces in Orakzai Agency on Friday.
Security forces backed by helicopter gunships targeted suspected militant hideouts, in which six fighters were killed and five others were wounded.
Three militant hideouts were destroyed in the shelling.
Meanwhile, according to some reports, militants blew up four more educational institutes located in different areas of Orakzai Agency and Mohmad Agency.
In Orakzai area of Jalakaka, militants torched a degree college and a technical institute.
While another Girls Model School was blown up with explosives in Bezot area. However, no casuality was reported.
In another incident, unidentified miscreants blew up a government boys’ high school with explosive material in Tehsil Kakro of Muhmand Agency.
IHC to be set up after 18th Amendment passage: Babar
ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Dr Babar Awan has said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) would be established immediately after passage of the 18th Amendment.
He said it is for first time in the country”s history that a democratically elected President is returning the powers to the Parliament, which were snatched by despotic rulers.
Talking to media men here Friday in the Supreme Court, he said with passage of 18th Amendment, the Parliament would get its real powers and the amendments inserted by oppressive rulers would be annulled.
Referring to holding of joint session of the Parliament, he said on April 5, the session would be held on one-point agenda in which the President would deliver his speech.
The next day” sessions of National Assembly and Senate would beheld in which 18th Amendment would be tabled, he added.
“The Parliament will pass it unanimously in the same manner a consensus was reached among members of Constitutional Reforms Committee,” the law minister added.
He said after approval by both Houses, the 18th Amendment would not be referred to a parliamentary committee as it had already been done.
Provinces Get the Reins of Local Bodies
President Asif Ali Zardari
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari on late night Thursday transferred the power of amending the Local Government Ordinance to the provinces, giving the fate of the one-time basic democracy in the hands of provincial governments.
“The President has approved the amendments in the Local Government Ordinance 2001 after consulting Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani,” said a statement issued by presidential spokesman Farhatullah Baber.
Terming the act a new-year gift from the President to the nation, Baber declared the transfer of power a step towards provincial autonomy. He said now the provinces can decide the issues – like holding new local bodies’ elections and appointment of administrators, on their own keeping their requirements and on-ground situation in view.
Provinces Get the Reins of Local Bodies was first posted on January 1, 2010 at 12:28 pm.
