A senator from the treasury benches Friday said that the federal government would pursue relentless accountability of the corrupt politicians and would not be deterred by the 'threats and blackmail' from the opposition parties in this regard. "Prime Minister Imran Khan has formed an inquiry commission with the sole aim to take to task the corrupt bigwigs in our country," said independent Senator Aurangzeb Khan, who is part of treasury benches, during the Senate session presided over by Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.
"No matter how emotional you get on the floor of the House and how sentimental speeches you deliver here, the fact of the matter is that the PM is not going to spare the black sheep in our country," he addressed the opposition. The senator's remarks somewhat angered the opposition benches with Moula Bux Chandio from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Atta Ur Rehman from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) having interrupted Aurangzeb's speech accusing the PTI government of massive corruption. But a defying Aurangzeb remarked, "Have the patience to bear with the truth. We have been patiently hearing your emotionally dramatic speeches for days. Now, you should have the courage to listen to the truth."
He also challenged the opposition to identify corrupt elements in the government, assuring the House that the PM would initiate action against them. "But blaming this government for your own misdeeds would not help. Your have destroyed state entities like Karachi Steel Mills and now you are seeking answers from our government? The PM-formed Inquiry Commission would soon be functional and the truth could come out in black and white. The nation would get to know who did what."
Aurangzeb Khan, who hails from erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), said the current federal government allocated Rs 184 billion for erstwhile FATA, the highest ever development funds for the region, in the history of Pakistan. He demanded that 26th Amendment Bill that has already been passed by the National Assembly be passed from Senate immediately. The bill provides for increasing the seats of erstwhile FATA in National Assembly from six to nine and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from 16 to 20.
Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) criticised the PTI government for the proposed federal budget. "The people are already in flames and this budget has added fuel to fire." He said the PTI government claimed that it would bulldoze the official residences of state and government functionaries including the President and Governor Houses. Instead, he alleged, the Houses of poor people are being bulldozed in the name of anti-encroachment drive.
On the statement of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa published in the media suggesting that Pakistan's "economy is in ICU (intensive care unit)," the PML-N senator addressed the CJP, "My lord, Pakistan's economy was not in ICU in 2017 before Nawaz Sharif was sent packing. Instead, Pakistan was an emerging economy that was on way to becoming member of G-20. Then, Nawaz Sharif was removed from premiership and you know how...we should try to seek the answers why Pakistan's economy that was once eyeing G-20 membership is in ICU now." Mushahid claimed that he went to jail "15 to 20 times and it's not easy to be there." He said that Nawaz Sharif is in high spirits in jail and "he cannot be subdued by undemocratic forces."
Mushahid repeatedly cited verses from Urdu poetry to criticise the PTI government. This did not go down well with treasury's Aurangzeb Khan. "We are here for some very serious legislative business and to discuss issues of national importance. The House is not for Mushaira (poetic symposium). This is Senate session. If you are so fond of poetry, you better form a Mushaira party elsewhere, not in Parliament," he told Mushahid amidst applause from treasury benches.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq strongly criticised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde and the PTI government for the recent federal budget. "It seems that 'aunt Christine' has held this government hostage which has prepared such an IMF-friendly budget," he said.
Siraj said not only opposition but also PTI lawmakers including former finance minister Asad Umar, Ali Muhammad Khan and Nauman Wazir Khattak criticised the anti-poor measures taken in the draft Finance Bill 2019. "So, it's not just the opposition but also the government members who have rejected this budget. What the PML-N and PPP governments did in 10 years, the PTI government did in 10 months to wreak havoc on the nation. Even if we believe that the prices of petrol and gas have much to do with increase of prices in international market, why are the prices of cement and sugar increased in new federal budget? Obviously, it was done to benefit mighty cartels."
Rehman Malik from PPP seconded the views of JI chief. "Aunt Christine has forced PTI government to prepare a budget that aims at destroying our economy. The rupee rate per dollar is touching Rs 160. Inflation is 11.9 per cent and we are heading to national default...PPP has offered the government to work together with collective wisdom to steer the country out of economic crises. If the recommendations of this House are not accepted by the government, the budget would cause disaster." The Senate would meet again on Monday at 4:30pm.
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