FM Aurangzeb says no more tax in upcoming budget, terms talks with PPP as positive

The first round of talks between PPP and government over upcoming budget concluded on Wednesday without reaching any consensus and next round of talks will be held within two days. PPP delegation comprised Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwala while Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and others represented the federal government. 

Talking to media after the meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that meeting with PPP delegation remained positive. He said that next round of talks will be held at the end of the week. 

Finance Minister Aurangzeb said that being ally and stake holders, the federal government and PPP will move together on IMF advice about budget. 

Finance Minister said that the federal government present meaningful budget on June 10. He said that government will try its best so that no new tax is imposed. Finance Minister Aurangzeb said that the government will try its best to improve enforcement in broadening of tax net. 

Earlier, parleys between the PML-N and the PPP to address the concern of the latter, which complained that it had not been taken into confidence on budget proposals, failed to be productive on Wednesday.

Sources told the 24News TV channel that Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, a member of the PPP’s negotiating team, sought from Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb information about the budget’s volume as well as other details as he was told by President Asif Ali Zardari.

This infuriated the minister, who asked Murad to present the budget himself.

This led to an altercation between the two sides. However, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman calmed down the situation.

Addressing Sindh CM, secretary finance said that when next time, PPP would come to power, it would come to know how much harsh the IMF’s conditionalities were. 

Shortly afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached the room.

Murad also sought from him information about the budget’s volume and other details. Although the PML-N did not share details immediately, but Dar assured the PPP that its lawmakers would be handed copies of the budget document ahead of its presentation. 

Speaking to Murad, he said that there were some contentious points, which both parties would sort out.

Later, in an informal chat with the 24News TV channel, PPP’s Sherry complained that her party was not provided copies of the budget document. She lamented that the PML-N did not take the PPP, its coalition partner, on board on the budget’s volume, fiscal targets and other important financial matters.

Reporter: Rozeena Ali, Waqas Azeem