ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) led federal government has proved a majority of 18 members in the National Assembly as it votes on the the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021, which opposition parties have dubbed as mini-budget.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has also said that the government has withdrawn its proposals to impose GST on solar panels, laptops, bread and imported infant formula (milk).
Before the individual amendments from the opposition were were put to a vote one by one, the members were asked to identify if they opposed or supported the amendments. At least 168 members voted in favour of the government and 150 supported the opposition, according to Speaker Asad Qasier.
PMLN’s Ahsan Iqbal said the opposition has challenged the count and a recount must be made.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have held protests inside and outside the Parliament House against
As soon as Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in the National Assembly, the government MPs welcomed him by thumping the desk. Opposition MNAs, on the other hand raised slogan, they have refused to sit down on their benches.
Earlier, PM Imran Khan chaired the parliamentary party meting of the PTI and its allies. The meeting, which has now ended, was overshadowed by reports of an altercation between Defence Minister Pervez Khattak on the one hand and Imran Khan and federal ministers on the other.
Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that the government would present a few amendments to the supplementary finance bill to accommodate recommendations.
The proposal to tax the baby formula milk has been withdrawn and the tax rate would be lowered on salt, pepper, and smaller cars, Rasheed said.
Before the Thursday’s session, the federal government reached out to its allies. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday met with Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ) leaders Moonis Ilahi and Khusro Bakhtiar, both federal ministers in his cabinet.
The meeting at the Bani Gala residence of Imran Khan was followed by a statement from the PMLQ that it would support the government on the mini-budget.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, another coalition partner, has still not openly assured the government of its support.
The MQM has recommended 11 changes to the supplementary finance bill and it is still waiting for a positive response from the government team.
Opposition holds protest outside the Parliament House
The opposition parties had planned to hold protests both inside and outside Parliament.
The protest outside the Parliament has begun, led by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif. PMLN workers marched from Rawalpindi while the PPP activists also joined them at Parliament.
Shehbaz said Pakistan has never been ruled by such an incompetent government in its history. The mini-budget would ruin people, he said.
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