Govt tables 'mini-budget' in Senate amid opposition’s outcry

The government on Tuesday tabled the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2021 or the “mini-budget” in the Senate amid protest by the opposition lawmakers. Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin introduced the draft bill in the upper house of parliament, which seeks amendments in income tax, sales tax and federal excise laws to impose Rs375 billion taxation measures. Last week, Tarin introduced two bills in the National Assembly to give effect to the Rs375 billion mini-budget and hand over absolute autonomy to the central bank in line with the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani announced that the bill would be sent to the Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, which would submit its report to the house within three days. Addressing the Senate session, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the finance and SBP bills will lead to the PTI-led government’s collapse. تحریک انصاف کی حکومت اس منی بجٹ اور عالمی اداروں کو جو خودمختاری دی جا رہی ہے اس کی وجہ سے گرے گی، شیری رحمان pic.twitter.com/SpzqWWazV3 — VicePresidentPPPP (@VicePresPPPP) January 4, 2022 She accused the government of auctioning off the country’s sovereignty by introducing such bills. Rehman said the mini-budget was tantamount to “killing” poor people who she said were already reeling under inflation and record-high food prices. منی بجٹ غریب عوام کے قتل کے مترادف ہے، تحریک انصاف کی میڈیا ٹیم کو وزیراعظم نے کہا ہے کہ عوام کو بتائیں کوئی مہنگائی نہیں، شیری رحمان pic.twitter.com/ipnA7bTD8O — VicePresidentPPPP (@VicePresPPPP) January 4, 2022 The upper house also passed four bills including the Protection against Harassment of women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The Juvenile Justice System (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Various members of the house participated in the debate including Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman and Tahir Bizenjo. Later, the house was adjourned due to lack of quorum, pointed out by the opposition to meet again on Friday at 10:30am. (With additional input from agencies)

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