Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Dr Shireen Mazari on Friday submitted a privilege motion to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, demanding an apology from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Khawaja Asif for using ‘unparliamentary’ language against her in the National Assembly.

“I wish to submit a privilege motion pertaining to the breach of my privilege as a member of the National Assembly during Khawaja Asif’s speech on June 8,” Mazari stated in the motion. She said, “His (Asif’s) attack on my person was unacceptable and his refusal to apologise further showed his deliberate intent to abuse a woman parliamentarian by attacking her person.”

“I request that action be taken against this personal abuse and name calling by Khawaja Asif. Expunging the record is not enough; an apology on the floor of the House is essential,” Mazari said. Earlier during the budget session of the National Assembly, Qaiser Ahmad Skeikh of the ruling PML-N congratulated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for presenting the fourth budget of his government and “leading the country towards economic stability”. He said that there had been an increase in foreign exchange reserves, while fiscal deficit and inflation remained under control.

Abdul Sattar Bachani of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) urged the government to focus on development of the agriculture sector. He said that stability of the country was dependent on the development of the agriculture sector.

Dr Amjad Niazi of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was just collecting 33 percent of the total revenue potential. He said the government was putting burden on those who were already paying taxes.

Dr Fouzia Hameed of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) criticised the government for not providing basic amenities to the masses. She said no funds were allocated for water supply to the people of Karachi.

Maulana Gohar Shah of the JUI-F said the economy could not flourish until complete abolition of the interest-based system. He said the Pakistan Steel Mills had been closed and its employees had been without salary for four months.

Haji Bismillah Khan from FATA said that allocation of Rs 18 billion for 20 million people of the tribal areas was not sufficient.