MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar attributed the federal budget for 2024-25 as a threat to national sovereignty and security.
Speaking at a session of the National Assembly today, he criticized the incumbent government, stating that it was a traditional budget maintaining the status quo.
He mentioned that Pakistan has been facing the same crises for 70 years and criticized the budget presented by 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. 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, faces 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 20% to 40%, and unemployment had skyrocketed to 15%.
MQM-P leader said that government was making lame excuses of financial constraints, it could make way for people in-debt if it wanted.
During the National Assembly session, opposition leader and PTI leader Omar Ayub raised the issue of Section 144 imposition across Punjab.
Living in fascist state: Omar Ayub
He criticized the Punjab government for imposing Section 144 to halt PTI and its allied party’s plans for a ‘Free Imran Khan’ protest rally.
Ayub condemned the enforcement of Section 144 by the Punjab CM and Punjab IG, arguing that it violated their rights and affirmed that they were living in a fascist state.