Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Opposition legislators in Upper House of Parliament on Monday claimed that incorrect figures were presented to International Monetary Organisation just to cover its deficit. The reality was that the poor, rich, business communities, and households were deeply unsatisfied by the government’s performance.

The so called revival of the economy was merely a bubble and they expressed apprehension that one day it would burst. The economic policies of the government would create multiple challenges for the new government, they maintained while talking over a motion presented by MQM Senator Mian Muhammad Atteq Shaikh to discuss the refund issue of business community.

They were of the view that the government was only paying lip service, without taking any step to improve the economy. Senator Ilyas Bilor told the house that the FBR officials were taking 21 percent in clearance of a Refund Case, which was a clear symbol of good performance. He also claimed that the government totally failed to take any measure against corruption and wrongdoing. MQM Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi also claimed that government had no intention to stop corruption, nor did it have any capacity to listen to criticism.

However, Federal Minister for Law Zahid Hamid claimed that the government had introduced an online automatic system for clearance of refund cases. He also claimed 70 percent refund cases had been disposed off due to the introduction of an automatic system. He said the system was being further improved and till June 2016, Rs 33 billion were refunded under the head of sales tax.

Earlier, the House paid tribute to renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and unanimously passed a resolution to officially declare July 8 as Edhi day. The house also announced that every member would donate Rs20,000 to Edhi Foundation once for which four new ambulance would be purchased and given to Eidi Centres in all four provinces. The resolution was put forward by Leader of the House Raja Zafar-ul-Haq which had been passed unanimously. The resolution stated that Edhi served his entire life to support orphans and helpless people. Addressing the new generation, July 8 should be celebrated commemorating Edhi’s services for the society, the resolution stated.

The legislators also passed a unanimous resolution, strongly condemning the recent wave of extra-judicial killings of Kashmiri Muslims and torture of boys and girls by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir. The resolution moved by Mushahid Hussain Syed and Sehr Kamran expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters. The House called upon international human rights organisations, United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international community to take notice of these atrocities and take appropriate steps to put an end to it. It also demanded of the United Nations to implement its resolutions without any further delay and take effective steps for free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir under its own supervision.

The resolution urged the Government to highlight the matter on all international forums and take all possible measures at diplomatic level to resolve the Kashmir issue. Another resolution passed by the House recommended the Government take effective steps to promote religious harmony, unity and brotherhood in the country. The resolution was moved by Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhedi.

The House rejected National Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2015. The Bill was presented by PPP Senator Taj Haider in the house. When the PPP senator presented the Bill, the treasury benches opposed it. Taj Haider said that under the 18th amendment, powers should be transferred to provinces. He appreciated the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for passing Ehtesab Commission Act and said that the Sindh cabinet had also approved the Accountability Bill. However, when the bill was put to a vote, only 22 senators voted in favour of the bill, while 23 voted against it.

Winding up the debate in the Senate on the motion of Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar’s motion regarding spending of money of Universal Service Funds (USF) in other heads instead of telecom sector, Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman Khan said the fund was being spent under a proper mechanism. The USF board had representation of both public and private sectors. The house also passed condemnation resolution on killing of Amjad Sabri (Qawal) and paid tribute to him.