Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz opens general debate on next fiscal year’s budget in NA as per tradition of the House

ISLAMABAD, June 13 (SABAH): The Lawmakers in the National Assembly have strongly condemned the blasphemous remarks by some members of India’s ruling party BJP against Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Khatam-un-Nabiyeen.

An hour-long discussion was held on the issue on the request of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

The Lawmakers urged the government to raise this matter on all international forums including OIC and the United Nations.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor said that Islamic scholars from across the world will be invited to address the annual Rahmatul-lil-Aalamin conference to give strong message to the world that Muslims cannot tolerate any blasphemous acts or remarks against their Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Khatam-un-Nabiyeen.

Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz Ahmed Khan opened the general debate on next fiscal year’s budget in the National Assembly on Monday as per tradition of the House.

Opening the budget debate, the Opposition Leader called upon the government to evolve a durable strategy to rid the country of debt and the clutches of the International Monetary Fund. He said the government should take concrete steps for the welfare of the poor and middle class.

He said interest free small loans should be given to small businesses to financially empower common men.

The Opposition Leader Raja Riaz said the agriculture sector needs special attention to facilitate the farming community by providing them fertilizers, quality seeds, pesticides and other inputs on subsidies rates. He said availability of electricity is vital for industrial growth and special steps should be taken in this regard.

He said the government should focus on constructing new dams, wind power and solar projects to ensure availability of cheap electricity to domestic and commercial consumers.

Participating in the debate, Sardar Ghous Bux Khan Mahar of GDA demanded of the government to control high inflation in the country by bringing down prices of essential items to facilitate the common people. He said solar panels should be made a non-tax item to ensure affordable electricity in the country. The House will now meet today (Tuesday) at 4:00 PM.