19 June 2004	Saturday	30 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, June 18: Remarks made by Balochistan National Party (BNP) Senator Sanaullah Baloch created a stir in the otherwise a dull and lacklustre debate on the budget during the morning session of the Senate here on Friday.

The deputy chairman, Khalilur Rahman, warned the BNP senator to remain "within limits" when Mr Baloch talked about the possibility of Balochistan province walking out of the federation, if the Centre did not accede to the demand of its people for autnomoy. He said Balochis had decided to join Pakistan at the time of independence as they thought the new country would provide social and cultural security to them.

He said the people of Balochistan had been asking for autonomy for several years. "If today we do not get autonomy, then the demand of separation will become a justified demand," Mr Baloch said. These remarks forced the Senate deputy chairman to issue a warning to BNP senator and he even threatened to switch off the mike.

Mr Baloch said that Centre should learn a lesson from separation of the East Pakistan. "Did not Quaid-i-Azam also lead a separation movement?" he asked. At this point Federal Health Minister Nasir Khan and some other treasury members rose on their seats and shouted on Mr Baloch, forcing the deputy chairman to switched off the mike.

Mr Rehman said that he could not allow such a speech. Later, Mr Baloch was allowed to conclude his speech after he had vehemently protested at the overbearing attitude of the chair.

Mr Baloch said the government had committed a serious violation of the constitution by not finalizing the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He said the self-proclaimed champions of democracy and constitution had failed to create provincial harmony, only to please the big province.

He termed the budget an unconstitutional document. He said instead of establishing universities, all attention was being given to setting up of cantonments in the country.

People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Senator Enver Baig said the budget would create a difficult situation for the middle class and the poor. He proposed that instead of reducing prices of automobiles, the duty on bicycles should be abolished to benefit the poor.

Mr Baig said as many as 570 people had committed suicide in the country in the last one year. He challenged the finance minister to make a household budget for the whole month within Rs2,500, which was the average monthly income of most of the people.

He said it was easy to make a budget while sitting in an air-conditioned room. The PPP senator also asked the government to withdraw the collection of TV licence fee through electricity bills.

Allama Abbas Kumaili of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) termed the budget "balanced and investment-friendly." Amanullah Kanrani of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) said the people had been deceived by the finance minister with his budgetary measures. He criticized the increase in defence budget.

Others who took part in the debate were: Sardar Mahtab Abbasi (PML-N), Gulshan Saeed (PML), Dr Mohammad Saeed (MMA), Sahibzada Khalid Jan (MMA), Syed Mohammad Hussain (Fata) and Waqar Ahmad Khan (PML).