ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar described the federal budget for 2024-25 as a threat to national sovereignty and security.
Speaking at a session of the National Assembly on Friday, he criticised the incumbent government for coming up with "a traditional budget maintaining the status quo".
He mentioned that Pakistan had been facing the same crisis for 70 years and criticised the budget presented by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying it also perpetuated the status quo.
Sattar claimed that this budget provided relief to feudal lords while depriving the poor and middle class of incentives. He pointed out that only the salaried class was taxed while the world was moving towards tax-free regimes.
He highlighted the brain drain of skilled workers who are compelled to take odd and blue-collar jobs abroad.
The middle class, he said, faced multiple crises such as electricity, gas, and water shortages, yet they are burdened with high bills.
He warned that failure to devise a people-friendly budget could threaten national sovereignty and survival.
He also stressed that businesses were closing down and investment was shrinking. Inflation, he added, had risen from 20pc to 40pc, and unemployment had skyrocketed to 15pc.
The MQM-P leader said the government was making lame excuses of financial constraints as it could help the people in debt if it wanted.
Living in fascist state: Omar Ayub
During the National Assembly session, opposition leader and PTI leader Omar Ayub raised the issue of Section 144 imposition across Punjab.
He criticised the Punjab government for imposing Section 144 to halt the PTI and its allied party's plans for a 'Free Imran Khan' protest rally.
Ayub condemned the enforcement of Section 144 by the chief minister and IGP, arguing that it violated their rights and affirmed that they were living in a fascist state.