Provinces be given due rights: Sherry

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman Monday said provinces should be given their due rights.

Initiating the debate on budget in the Senate, she was of the view that National Finance Commission (NFC) Award should have been announced before the presentation of the budget. The Pakistan Muslim League-N government had not fulfilled its promise in that regard, she added.

Sherry Rehman said the NFC Award specified a formula under which funds were distributed among the provinces.

She said Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan being an elected representative should have presented the budget.

The opposition leader claimed that the budget was not for the poor. The tax base had been narrowed down as indirect taxes were imposed on the masses, she claimed.

Sherry Rehman claimed that the prices of petroleum products would be increased.

Taking part in the debate, Dr Sikandar Mandhro of the Pakistan People Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) said the government was not justified in announcing the budget for whole year.

He claimed that no relief had been announced for the poor segments of the society. “This budget is for the rich and not for the poor,” he added.

He criticized the government for announcing levy on the petroleum products. He said 10 percent enhancement in the salaries of government employees was not enough.

He said that PPPP would resist any attempt to role back the 18th Constitutional Amendment.