ISLAMABAD:
Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly saw a second straight day of heated debate over rising oil prices amid a Gulf war, with Treasury and opposition members trading harsh criticism over economic policies and governance.
The session, chaired by President Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, began with prayers for martyrs in terror incidents in Bannu and other areas as well as MNA’s father Ejaz Jakhrani. Lawmakers then held detailed discussions on energy, economy, foreign affairs and the internal security situation.
PPP MNA Naveed Qamar filed a call-up notice on changes in net metering policy and imposition of tax on solar panels. He wondered why green energy was discouraged at a time when electricity remained expensive and heavily dependent on polluting fuels.
Responding to concerns, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the government was maintaining a “delicate balance” in the energy sector.
He said long-standing agreements had tied the government’s hands, making it difficult to get out of obligations such as capacity payments. He added that the government remained bound by commitments made over the past 35 years, although efforts were being made to find some flexibility through recent negotiations.
Minister of State for Energy Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the House that Pakistan was moving towards clean energy. He said dependence on imported coal was being reduced in favor of local coal, while the net metering policy continued to benefit consumers and solar energy would continue to be encouraged.
During the debate on oil prices, the PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui criticized the government’s policy as unclear and said repeated price increases were seriously affecting the public. He noted that heavy taxes on gasoline and rising diesel prices were fueling inflation.
MNA Noor Alam Khan also criticized the increase, saying it was placing an unbearable burden on citizens and making it difficult for farmers to afford to harvest wheat. He also took a firm stance on relations with Afghanistan and the prevailing security situation.
Engineer Hameed Hussain raised the issues faced by the victims of the Tirah operation, prompting the spokesperson to request a report from the relevant authorities.
Opposition MNA Junaid Akbar Khan questioned why new oil rates were levied when stocks purchased at earlier rates were still available. He also criticized the lifestyle of the ruling elite, alleging misappropriation of public funds, including claims of lavish spending, and argued that ordinary voters were being ignored in favor of those who controlled election results.
MNA Aliya Kamran highlighted a revenue shortfall of Rs 430 billion in the previous fiscal year and claimed that oil price increases were being used to close the gap.
Responding on behalf of the government, State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani said maintaining primary balance was a key objective. He claimed that the tax on petroleum had been reduced by up to Rs 80, while the tax on diesel had been reduced to zero.
He added that digital invoicing had been introduced in sectors such as cement, tobacco and sugar and efforts were being made to expand the tax network. Despite the economic challenges, he said, the government had tried to reduce the burden on the public wherever possible.
MNA Atif Khan said the opposition was not being given a proper opportunity to speak and urged leaders to adopt austerity measures, suggesting senior officials should use commercial flights until fuel prices were reduced.
PPP MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig also criticized the government, saying surges in oil prices had benefited businesses while heavy taxes had fueled inflation. He argued that while adjustments in line with world prices were understandable, imposing an excessive burden on the public was not justified.
national government
Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai called for reducing political tensions and creating a national consensus. He urged an end to frequent parliamentary pauses and emphasized the need to allow all members to speak to strengthen democratic processes.
He said the current system had effectively collapsed and that all political leaders must come together to form a national government. He also warned that any attempt to adopt a “negative founder of PTI” policy would face resistance.
Highlighting regional challenges, he stressed the importance of improving relations with neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, and called for a balanced relationship between political and military leadership. He said that only collective wisdom could get the country out of the crisis.
Planes for Punjab CM
Opposition members questioned the purchase of an aircraft worth Rs 11 billion for the Punjab chief minister, calling it unjustifiable in the current economic situation.
MNA Zain Qureshi pointed out that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister did not have an official plane and argued that such expenditure in other provinces was adding to public hardship. He demanded that the government cut its spending and secure public aid in negotiations with the IMF.
In response, Khawaja Asif said it was inappropriate to target a single individual, noting that the chief ministers of all four provinces had access to official planes. He clarified that the prime minister had not bought a new plane but had upgraded an existing one.
