MNAs call for adoption of senate proposals to ease inflation, provide relief

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jun, 2026) Members of the National Assembly, during the budget debate on Senate recommendations on the Finance Bill on Saturday, called for incorporating key proposals aimed at easing inflation and providing relief to the public.

Speaking on the Senate’s recommendations, MNA Aliya Kamran urged the government to consider them.

She supported reducing the advance tax on telecom services under Section 236 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, from 15 per cent to 8 per cent, saying it would benefit mobile and internet users and help expand digital access in education, business, and employment.

She also backed reductions in GST on essential items, including food, medicines, education materials, and agricultural inputs, saying lower taxation would ease pressure on low-income households.

On the energy sector, she supported targeted electricity subsidies for low-consumption users, reforms to address capacity payments and circular debt, and a cap on the petroleum levy with greater transparency in its collection and use.

She stressed that Balochistan required special attention in development funding and project execution.

MNA Umair Khan Niazi said the Senate’s role in financial legislation had become largely symbolic under Article 73 of the Constitution, arguing that it had weakened provincial autonomy.

He also pointed to inconsistencies in budget priorities, including the withdrawal of funds from youth programmes while continuing support for projects such as the Prime Minister’s e-sports arena, calling for a more consistent youth policy.

MNA Naeema Kishwar expressed concern over the absence of tax relief for the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recalling commitments made during their integration. She supported a 15 per cent salary increase for government employees amid inflation and called for stronger funding for higher education, research, and local governments, saying insufficient transfers to local bodies were affecting grassroots service delivery. She also backed relief for the agriculture sector, describing it as the backbone of the economy.

MNA Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar called for comprehensive relief for farmers, including withdrawal of the proposed income tax on the fertiliser sector and reduction of taxes on inputs such as seeds, pesticides, diesel, and machinery.

He said rising production costs had severely affected agriculture and required urgent policy action. He also supported restoring allowances for university faculty and researchers, as well as medical allowances for Federal employees and pensioners frozen since 2015. He proposed at least a 15 per cent salary increase for government employees and subsidies for low-income electricity consumers.

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On infrastructure, he backed increased allocations for the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway and regional energy projects.

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser opposed the proposed nine per cent tax on tobacco crops, saying that it would burden farmers instead of manufacturers. He said taxation should instead be imposed on finished tobacco products, while supporting higher taxes on cigarettes.

MNA Muhammad Shabbir Ali Qureshi called for equitable development across regions, particularly in southern Punjab, saying development funds were not being distributed fairly. He highlighted delays in major university and infrastructure projects in Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur and urged improved urban infrastructure, including sewerage and drainage systems in Kot Addu.

MNA Muhammad Atif raised concerns over inconsistent taxation in the aviation sector, urging uniform relief for all airlines and passengers. He said selective exemptions could distort competition and called for equal treatment of all stakeholders.

MNA Sahibzada Sibghatullah called for early completion of delayed projects, particularly the N-45 highway linking Chakdara to Gilgit via the Lowari Tunnel. He said despite approvals, work had not begun and also pointed to delays in Upper Dir PSDP schemes, suggesting stalled projects be transferred to relevant development bodies for completion.

PTI Chairman and MNA Gohar Ali Khan stressed the need for a permanent and well-funded disaster management system. He called for joint federal and provincial contributions to a dedicated disaster risk fund, saying recent floods had exposed serious gaps in district-level preparedness and the country’s largely reactive response system.

MNA Ayesha Nazir urged effective implementation of Senate recommendations in education, research, and economic sectors. She supported improved pension schemes for public universities, higher research funding, innovation support, and retention of skilled professionals. She also called for raising the income tax threshold for low-income groups, reducing GST on essential items, and introducing fair electricity tariffs for low-usage households.

MNA Shahzada M. Gustasam Khan called for targeted development in neglected regions, including Tanawal, saying uniform policies could not address deep regional disparities and that special interventions were needed for balanced growth.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb thanked members of both Houses’ finance committees for their input, saying the recommendations would be incorporated into the budget.