By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the National Assembly to explain why the PPP is supporting the federal budget.
He stated that the government has increased the allocation for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a scheme envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto by 20 per cent. He criticised the previous PTI government for attempting to undermine BISP in every budget, and commended the current Prime Minister for consistently increasing its funding since assuming office.
He further noted that the government has raised the income threshold for tax exemption from Rs 600,000 to Rs 1.2 million annually. Additionally, he highlighted that the tax on solar panels was reduced from 18 per cent to 10 per cent following objections raised by PPP members. Chairman Bilawal also welcomed the decision to curtail the arrest powers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Under the new policy, arrests in tax cases can now only be made in instances of proven fraud, and not during the inquiry stage. Moreover, such offences have been declared bailable.
“These are the reasons why the PPP is supporting this budget,” he concluded.
Earlier Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a meeting of PPP parliamentary party held in committee room number 5 of the National Assembly attended by all the PPP members of the National Assembly including Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
Members of the PPP briefed Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on their proposals regarding the federal budget. He was also informed about the amendments incorporated into the budget as a result of PPP’s input.
Chairman Bilawal was given a detailed briefing on the acceptance of the party’s demand for a 20% increase in the budget of the Benazir Income Support Programme, a flagship initiative of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
In response to PPP’s consistent advocacy, the tax on solar panels has been slashed by nearly 50%. The Chairman was also apprised of this development. Owing to PPP’s strong reservations, the government withdrew the controversial amendments related to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) law. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received a comprehensive briefing on this matter as well. On PPP’s suggestion, the federal budget now includes a 10% increase in government salaries and a 7% rise in pensions. Moreover, PPP successfully secured complete income tax exemption for salaried individuals earning up to Rs. 100,000 per month.
Another key achievement highlighted during the briefing was the restoration of budgetary allocations for universities in Sindh, following PPP’s demand.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari instructed the party’s parliamentarians to vote in favour of the federal budget.
