June 17, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 16: Members of the National Assembly belonging to different political parties on Monday called for taking steps to boost agricultural output to cope with an unprecedented food shortage and for introducing aggressive tax reforms to broaden the tax net.

Taking part in the budget discussion, the members underlined the need for empowering the common man. They opposed the decision to withdraw subsidy on electricity, observing that it would multiply problems being faced by the people.Some members proposed more taxes on cigarettes, cosmetics and other luxury goods and providing relief to lower income groups.

The parliamentary leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Dr Farooq Sattar, said that no step had been announced in the budget for eliminating ad hocism and empowering the common man. He called for taking revolutionary steps for “empowerment of all” through “engagement of all”. He also called for provincial autonomy and said it was key to strengthening the federation and resolving the problems being faced by the people.

He welcomed the decision to present details of the defence budget in parliament for debate and said that allocation for the three services should be need-based. He called for mending fences with India and said the partition of the sub-continent was not meant to create two permanent enemies.

Dr Zile Huma praised the government for presenting what she called a people-friendly budget and said that measures proposed for improving health and education sectors would help bring healthy changes in the lives of the masses.

She said the Lady Health Workers programme, which was initiated by Ms Benazir Bhutto, would provide health facilities in rural areas. She welcomed a 20 per cent increase in the pay and pension of government employees.

Humair Hayat Rokhari said that although the people’s programme and Benazir Bhutto support programme were good steps, there was a need for giving boost to farm output to end foodstuff shortage.

He called for taking concrete steps to provide basic necessities of life to villagers and ensuring construction of hospitals and schools in rural areas.

Sardar Bhadur Khan Sehar emphasised the need for shifting focus from market economy to a comprehensive strategy for well-being of the people and combating poverty.

Ms Fauzia Habib held the previous government responsible for unprecedented price hike and inflation. She said the present government had embarked upon a programme to control and reduce poverty and referred to various programmes announced in the budget for the purpose.

Mr Birjees Tahir called for implementing salary raise in private sector institutions. He criticised the proposal for an increase in the number of judges of the Supreme Court.

Mr Shaukatullah called for special allocation to improve health and education facilities in Fata.

Mr Amir Muqam stressed the need for steps to improve law and order situation in the country. He said it was regrettable that the NWFP had been ignored in the development programme and sought allocation of more funds for the development of the province.

Ms Shgufta Jumani said that PPP governments had always worked for empowerment of women and to protect their rights.

Mr Waseem Akhtar Sheikh was of the view that wrong polices of the previous government were to blame for today's economic mess.