NA approves Interior Division budget grants worth Rs 74.35b

WEB DESK: During the National Assembly session, four demands for grants of the Interior Division amounting to more than Rs 74.35b were approved. Opposition’s 123 cut motions on the Interior Division budget were rejected by a majority vote.

The session was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, during which approval proceedings began on 10 demands for grants of three ministries totalling over Rs 1,242b.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented four demands for grants of the Interior Division worth more than Rs 349b in the National Assembly for approval. The opposition moved 123 cut motions against the four demands.

A debate was held on the cut motions, after which the ruling coalition approved four demands for grants of the Interior Division worth over Rs 74.35b.

Three demands for grants of the National Food Security Division worth over Rs 33.7b were also presented for approval. The opposition submitted 112 cut motions on the food security budget, and the debate is ongoing.

Members’ remarks

Speaking during the debate on cut motions of the Interior Division, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said his party had always raised its voice for national unity. “We are not schoolchildren; we must rise above personal egos and do something for the country. We were extending a hand, expecting a response from your side.”

He said PTI had consistently called for national cohesion, and the Leader of the Opposition had always spoken about the rule of law. “We thought matters would improve by shaking hands, and Mahmood Achakzai even went to the House and shook hands with the Prime Minister.”

Barrister Gohar said that human rights had been violated over the past four years and lawlessness had prevailed. “Our colleagues, including Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and others, have been sentenced again.”

He said the government had promised amendments to the CrPC, but the law had not yet been changed. “Let the dust of May 9 settle.”

Speaking in the National Assembly, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said he had visited Barrister Gohar’s seat at least six times. “We introduced a detailed draft of criminal law amendments in the Assembly, which is with the standing committee and contains non-political amendments.”

Responding to the sentencing of PTI leaders, the Law Minister said the verdicts were announced by the court and the government had no role in them.