The national intelligence agencies came under fire in the National Assembly on Saturday when a ruling PML MNA, Rehana Aleem Mushhadi, accused them of political interference in her speech on the fourth day of debate on national budget.
Ruling PML MNA, Rehana Aleem Mushhadi a veteran politician also urged the government to reduce the defence budget and concentrate on poverty alleviation than spending huge amounts on purchase of weapons.
"It is very unfortunate that our intelligence agencies become active after an elected government hardly completes half of its tenure and incite the opposition to topple the government. They should focus on their job and let the politicians be accountable to the people in the political process," she added.
About the defence budget, she said that it was very sad that Pakistan was spending huge amount on the purchase of weapons rather than arranging food for our people who are dying of hunger. "I would also request the government to use the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) to pressure India to reduce their defence budget too and concentrate on the welfare of the people".
"We are making atom bombs and weapons when people are struggling for even food," she posed a question in emotional tone. Maulvi Mirajuddin of MMA said that head skulls of the innocent women killed could still be found in mountains and their hair were hanging on trees. "The days will come when the bodies of those responsible of these innocent killings will be hanging in the big squares of the country," he said. He accused the rulers of being 'unbridled' and living a lavish life at the cost of the national exchequer.
Shahid Anwer Bhutto of the PPP-P, who has come to the National Assembly from former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's seat, said that the army usurped the power to purge the society of corruption but started worst-ever economic terrorism in the country.
"The privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills and telecommunications at throwaway prices and unnoticed sugar, cement and oil prices scams are the proof of economic terrorism in the country," he alleged.
He said another example of worst exploitation was that the banks have reduced profits of the depositors despite earning billions of rupees in profits terming the budget a pro-rich and anti-poor.
He mentioned a report prepared by the Sindh Chief Minister's enquiry committee accusing sardars in the interior of Sindh involved in provoking tribal disputes and asked the Prime Minister to kick them out of their party.
"This government should show some moral courage and throw all the MNAs and MPAs named in the report belonging to the ruling party. My name is also mentioned in that report and I challenge that I would resign if the allegations against me are proved at any forum," he said. Pervaiz Masih, a minority MNA of the PPP-P, complained that their seats were not increased for the last 35 years despite substantial increase in general seats.
Some 20 members took part in debate on Saturday in which treasury members defended the budget except a few dissenting voices and opposition criticised the budget. The day's proceedings remain dull and attendance of members was thin despite the fact that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also came to the house before lunch break for a brief period.