ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday adjourned proceedings of the budget session after Minister for Water Resources Syed Khurshid Shah was irked over the absence of MPs and ministers.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Shah asked why budget speeches are being made in an empty House. “There is no one to speak on the budget,” he said and asked why no speeches were made despite presenting a better budget despite a tight fiscal position.
He warned if it continues then even those coming to attend the session will skip the proceedings. “The session should be suspended until the quorum is completed,” he demanded and threatened to point out the quorum if the sitting is not adjourned.
He further demanded of the speaker to summon the prime minister and ensure his presence during the budget speeches.
The speaker later adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes and said that Khursheed Shah raised valid points. “Khurshid Shah is also a minister but regularly attends the National Assembly proceedings,” he said and urged the MPs to give time to the session.
It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail presented the budget for the financial year 2022-23 in the National Assembly on Friday.
The budget has a total outlay of Rs9,502 billion has been announced, encompassing measures for what the government termed “sustainable economic growth, industrial and agriculture development and relief for the poor people”.
