Federal budget goal-oriented, pro-people, inclusive, maximum relief provided to people: Experts

PESHAWAR, Apr 27 (APP):People of every walk of life including politicians, civil society, academicians, businessmen and government employees here Friday welcomed the Federal Budget 2018-19 and termed it goal-oriented, and people friendly in which maximum relief was provided to all.
Despite challenges, PMLN Government presented a record sixth people friendly budget in which maximum relief was provided to all segment of the society including poor strata, middle class, government employees, pensioners and farmers besides common man.
They also welcomed 10pc increase in the salaries and pension of the government employees besides raising of minimum pension to Rs10000 and enhancing minimum pension to Rs 15000 above 75 years of age.
The artists community also welcomed federal budget and government four point package for revival of film industry in the country.
Sardar Aurganzaib Nalota, PMLN Parliamentary leader in KP Assembly told APP that federal government has deserved full credit and appreciation for presenting a record sixth budget as per people’s wishes and expectations despite challenges.
Nalota said 5.8 percent GDP growth this year was possible due to the government’s measures to control power load-shedding and bring peace and normalcy to the country, adding the Government had added over 12000megawatt electricity to the nation grid, resulting economic prosperity and industrial boost besides encouraging infant industries by promoting perfect competition in market.
While welcoming allocation of Rs 943.175 million under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to execute four ongoing and five new projects, he said this would help accelerate oil and
gas exploration activities in potential areas across the country.
He said Rs133.5 billion allocated for various Special Programmes including ERRA, FATA 10 years Plan, Security Enhancement, and PM’s Youth Initiatives under the Public Sector Development Programme 2018-19 is also highly commendable.
While lauding earmarking of Rs 8.5 billion for Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and Rs10 billion for FATA 10 Years Plan, he said it would help expedite pace of
economic development in tribal areas. He also welcomed allocation of Rs90 billion for rehabilitation of TDPs.
He said there was no justification of opposition’s boycott during time of budget and it would have better if they listen the budget’s speech with calm.
“PMLN government should be applauded for presenting an inclusive budget despite challenges as the government cannot function even for a day without presenting the budget,” he maintained.
He remarked that next elected government would have the right to make changes in the budget as it would deem fit.
He said Government had always welcomed positive criticism and criticism for sake of criticism should be avoided in the country’s larger interest.
He said Pakistan had all the potential to join the club of developed economies by 2025 if present economic policies continue in the country.
Senior Constitutional Expert, Alamzaib advocate have also welcomed the budget and termed it very positive and wide ranging.
He said present assemblies have complete jurisdiction to approve country’s budget for next financial year as Government can’t function without the budget. “From where govt employees and
pensioner will get salaries and pensions if non-developmental budget was not approved,” he questioned.
The noted lawyer said there is no legal lacuna or legal hurdle in presentation of the budget by the present assemblies.
To a question, he said there was nothing unconstitutional in appointment of Miftah Ismail as Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economics Affairs before presentation of the budget.
Senior academician and economic expert, Professor Dr Muhammad Naeem has welcomed the education programme of the government that would ensure 100 percent school admission to children across the country.
He said the government had identified different raw materials that are used in the export sector and
proposal of exempting 104 raw materials from customs duty and reduction of duty on 28 others items was praise worthy.
In order to promote the local manufacturing sector, he said it was necessary that local manufacturers may be provided raw material.
He also welcomed a proposal of reduction of duties on Acetic Acid, Plaster of Paris, Carbon Black rubber grade and silicon electrical steel sheets in the budget that would help facilitate the local
manufacturers.