NA approves 136 demands for grants for next fiscal year

The National Assembly has approved all the one hundred and thirty-six demands for grants pertaining to different ministries for the next fiscal year.

These were moved by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The demands for grants approved today pertaining to the Revenue Division, Human Rights Division, Interior Division and the National Food Security and Research Division.

Winding up discussion on cut motions pertaining to the Finance and Revenue Division, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed satisfaction over improved economic indicators including increase in foreign exchange reserves and reduction in inflation and policy rate. He mentioned that independent surveys are also acknowledging increase in business, investor and business confidence in the country.

The Finance Minister said there will be less than two percent increase in the federal expenditures for the next fiscal year as compared to ten to thirteen percent increase in previous years.  He also mentioned the ongoing reforms in FBR saying these are aimed at ensuring transparency.

Winding up discussion on the cut-motions pertaining to the Interior Division, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said now the Pakistani passport contains international features, preventing chances of making fake passports. He said Pakistan’s international airports and seaports are well connected with an AI system to ensure that no individual can go abroad without having valid visa and legal documents.

Winding up discussion on cut-motions pertaining to the Human Rights Division, Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar said a cluster of human rights organizations has granted “A” status to the National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan for the first time in the history of the country. He said effective legislation has been made to protect women, children and minorities rights.

Concluding the discussion on the cut-motions pertaining to the National Food Security and Research Division, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government is taking measures to enhance per acre yield in the country. He said supply of fertilizers was ensured and its prices were also kept under control. He said prices of sugarcane and wheat have been deregulated to ensure that farmers will get fair and competitive market rates of their crops.

The Minister said the target for sowing of cotton has been achieved to produce ten million bales this year. He further said one thousand agricultural graduates have been sent to China on government expenses for modern training and skills enhancement to increase growth in the agriculture sector.

Cut-motions moved by the opposition were rejected by the House. The House will now meet tomorrow at eleven in the morning.