Day: June 23, 2024

National Assembly will continue discussion on federal budget for next fiscal year today. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will chair the session. Earlier, Speaker suspended the membership of Sunni Ittehad Council Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel for the current session due to his use of highly objectionable indecent language during the budget speech. The house adopted a motion introduced by the Speaker regarding the suspension of the member. Source: Radio Pakistan

PML-N leader and Chairman Prime Minister Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore today (Sunday). They discussed progress on ongoing projects for youth empowerment. Overall political situation of the country also came up during the meeting. Source: Radio Pakistan

Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Amna Baloch held meeting with the Pakistani women professionals in Luxembourg and acknowledged their professional acumen. Pakistan Embassy in Belgium posted on X that the Ambassador also assured to support their endeavours. Separately, the embassy convened a consular camp in Belgium for the facilitation of Pakistani community. Source: Radio Pakistan

The National Assembly continued discussion on the budget for next financial year. Taking part in the discussion, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani suggested withdrawing tax on life saving drugs. He, however, welcomed the tax on luxury items. He urged all the politicians to shun their differences and sit together on the dialogue table to evolve a joint strategy in order to steer the country out of crises. Shahida Akhtar Ali proposed to increase budgetary allocations for the education and health sectors. She also called for enhancing salaries and wages of the working class. Ali Zahid said the government has presented a balanced budget. He said stock exchange is booming and international financial institutions are expressing confidence in Pakistan's economy due to the prudent and untiring efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government of Pakistan. He said gradual decrease in inflation and petroleum prices indicates that country's economy is heading towards the right direction. Syed Amin-ul-Haque commended the budget for having sufficient allocations for defence, education and development. He also appreciated the relief measures suggested in the budget that include increase in salaries, minimum wages and pension to provide relief to the common people. Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar said farmers should be given direct subsidy and there should be more facilitation for the agriculture sector. He said a medical college should be established in district Muzaffargarh. Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah stressed the need for enhancing the tax net instead of overburdening the existing taxpayers. Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the government presented a balanced budget despite tough economic conditions. He said the inflation rate has also reduced from 25 percent to 12 percent. Riaz Fatyana called for creating job opportunities for the youth of the country. Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood criticized the budgetary proposals. He said funds should be allocated to the education sector, especially for scholarships . He also called for the completion of Layyah-Taunsa Bridge. Syed Waseem Hussain said that the government should take effective steps to facilitate poor segments of society. Shazia Marri said the tax net should be enhanced instead of burdening the salaried class or the people registered with FBR. She said healthcare equipment or medicines should be exempted from tax to provide better health facilities to the masses. Aseefa Bhutto Zardrai has stressed the need to work together and reject the divisive politics for the sake of the people of Pakistan. She said we must work for finding ways to provide relief to the common man and help farmers. Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar hailed the Punjab government on reducing price of the bread, launching clinics on wheels project and distributing electric e-bikes among female students. Shandana Gulzar Khan criticized the budget for imposing 18 percent duty on medicines and healthcare equipment. Those, who spoke on the occasion, include Ali Muhammad Khan, Aliya Kamran, Syed Hus sain Tariq, Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, Jawed Hanif Khan, Nisar Jutt, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Junaid Anwar, Fateh Ullah Khan, Shagufta Jumani, and Adil Khan Bazai. The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at 11:00 am. Source: Radio Pakistan

Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam has urged all provincial governments to follow the suit of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of enforcing plastic ban, to make Pakistan plastic-free country. In a statement today, she said achieving plastic-free Pakistan is an extremely challenging goal, but it is possible with coordinated efforts by all provincial governments to completely ban manufacturing, distribution and sale and purchase of plastics in its all forms and manifestations at all levels The Prime Minister's aide said continuous efforts are needed to ensure compliance on plastic ban and address the challenges in this regard. Romina Khurshid Alam underlined the urgency of banning the production, distribution and use of polythene bags, citing their detrimental environmental impact and contribution to respiratory ailments and other life-threatening conditions. She also urged the provincial governments to promote use of eco-friendly alternatives like cotton bags to replac e plastic bags, appealing to the citizens to switch to cloth and paper bags as alternatives to plastic. She also highlighted the unprecedented importance of the public engagement through awareness campaigns to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives. Source: Radio Pakistan

International Widows' Day was observed today to draw attention to issues and challenges they experience and to galvanize unique support that they need. For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a partner is magnified by a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. This day is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows. Source: Radio Pakistan

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi says problems of the society can be solved in a better way with positive and responsible journalism. Talking to renowned columnist, dramatist and poet Mansoor Afaq who called on him in Peshawar today, the governor said journalists should point out the problems through positive criticism. Faisal Karim Kundi said federal government has allocated funds in the budget for the two major projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which are Chashma Lift Canal and Chakdara Chitral Road. Source: Radio Pakistan

As many as 447 Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived at the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal to participate in rituals in connection with the 185th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Upon arrival, the pilgrims were welcomed by officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. On this occasion, Sikh Yatrees expressed satisfaction over arrangements made by the governement. Group leader Sardar Khushwint Singh thanked the Pakistani government for allowing a large number of pilgrims to visit their religious places in Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan