ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly criticised the incumbent government for not living up to its promises and imposing taxes and increasing gas prices.
Addressing in the National Assembly, the PML-N president said the report of the parliamentary commission formed to probe alleged misconduct and rigging in the general elections should be submitted at the earliest.
He said the previous government faced immense challenges in 2013 which they overcame and most of the projects were completed and terrorism, energy shortages, and others challenges were addressed.
“The present government is the result of rigging, not voting,” said the PML-N president leading to chaos and a brief ruckus in the Lower House.
He said that those telling tales of ‘Naya Pakistan’ were not working on merit but rather nepotism has resulted in prominent posts being given to friends and cronies.
Furthermore, he said relations with other countries were not improving as the Chinese foreign minister was welcomed and a telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of State was misrepresented.
“Those who claimed to bring forward the best team in Naya Pakistan brought their personal friends, service providers and appointed imported advisers,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif said that they will stand up like the ‘Great Wall of China’ against those conspiring against CPEC and will not let the multi-billion project go away.
‘Anti-people budget’
Regarding the mini budget recently passed by Finance Minister Asad Umar, he said that it was not expected from him to bring such a budget.
“Such a budget was not expected from an educated finance minster. Asad Umar has brought a budget against the people,” he said.
He said the PML-N government reduced gas prices rather than increasing them, provided subsidies to farmers worth billions, and produced abundant electricity. He added that increase in gas prices will lead to uncontrolled inflation in the country, and demanded the increase should be immediately withdrawn.
“The current government has not inherited any crisis. The PML-N government inherited a lot of crisis when it overcame” he added, adding that terrorism was reduced with the sacrifices of security forces.
Shehbaz Sharif further said that he does not believe in criticism for the sake of it, but will rather cooperate if the government takes any constructive steps.
He said the PML-N government reduced taxes for the salaried class but direct taxes were imposed in the mini budget despite being personally opposed by the finance minister.
He said that even non-filers should rejoice as they would now be able to buy properties and vehicles, and seventy out of Rs183 billion direct taxes would be imposed on the poor people.
