ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Friday informed the National Assembly “in categorical terms” that the country faces no risk of default.
Speaking on the floor of nation Assembly during Question Hour, the Minister of State for Finance claimed that the country was faced with a difficult situation when the present coalition government came into power as the IMF program was suspended. “We have revived the IMF program while improvement is being seen in exports and remittances are also pouring in the country.” She claimed the investors were showing interest for investment in the country as a result of reform introduced by the incumbent government.
The Minister of State said the international community had shown the intent to help Pakistan in the post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
Aisha Ghaus Pasha said policies are being framed to enhance the size of the formal economy by bringing potential taxpayers into the tax net. She said the entire supply chain from import to retail is being integrated with the FBR system to ensure documentation. She said responsibility rested with every Pakistani to pay taxes in order to provide funds for the health, education, transport, defense and other sectors.
Aisha Ghaus Pasha said both internal and external factors are behind the current price hike and it is the priority of the government to check it.
On the occasion, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi said that damage assessment had been completed in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan while surveys of other provinces would be completed by the end of this month. He said damage assessment in Sindh and Balochistan could not be completed as water was still standing in certain areas. He was confident that the data of damage assessment will be available by the first week of next month.
Minister for Commerce Naveed Qamar said Pakistan’s trade with the UAE had increased mainly due to the effort of the government.
On the other hand, the National Assembly passed a resolution reassuring to safeguard rights of all children as enshrined in the 1973 constitution and under the UN Convention on Rights of Child for a more equal and inclusive Pakistan.
The resolution moved by Mehnaz Akbar Aziz recognized the rights of every child as well as mothers and the need for provision of best available early care and safe environment for all children.
The resolution strongly condemned merciless practices of child trafficking, abuse, pornography and prostitution and recommended strong legislation and its implementation to curb these inhumane and brutal offenses. It also reaffirmed to tackle the menace of child and bonded labor as enshrined in the constitution.
The resolution pledged to ensure inclusion of children’s voices in important matters to establish peace and harmony in the society.
It committed to create equal opportunities for all to acquire quality education in true letter and spirit.
The house resolved to invest time and effort for reducing malnutrition in children and mothers and combat the menace of stunted growth amongst children to protect the future of Pakistan.
The house through its resolution further committed that the child who is physically mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care as required by his condition.
The resolution pledged to provide more opportunities for children’s civic engagement and participation as inclusion is pivotal to the future of democracy.
The house reiterated to further support and strengthen the parliamentary caucus on child rights for child centered legislation, advocacy and oversight.
The house offered fateha for those who died in a traffic accident at Sehwan Sharif. The house will now meet on Monday at five pm.
