ISLAMABAD:Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri has said that necessary steps are being taken both in Sindh and Balochistan to cope with any eventuality arising from Cyclone Biparjoy. Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, she said the process of evacuation of the people from different areas of the coastal belt is continuing and so far about eighty thousand to one hundred thousand people have been evacuated. She said billboards are also being removed in Karachi.

In his remarks, the chair said the personnel of the Armed Forces are present in the areas likely to be affected by the cyclone. He said the people should observe precaution and give serious consideration to the directions and alerts being issued by the authorities concerned regarding the cyclone. On the occasion, the House also prayed to avert the looming cyclone and save the country from natural disasters. The National Assembly on Tuesday continued discussion on the budget for the year 2023-24.

Participating in the debate, Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Shah said the budget has been presented in a difficult economic situation. He was appreciative of increasing the salary of employees, but stressed for taking more steps for the uplift of agriculture sector. Khursheed Shah said the country is blessed with many resources, but regretted that these have never been exploited to strengthen the economy. He said ample funds should be allocated for the construction of dams such as Diamer Bhasha, Mohmand and Dassu and added that their completion will change the whole economic landscape of Pakistan. Noor Alam Khan, in his remarks, said there is no relief for the poor people and farmers in the budget. He said seventy percent of population lives in rural areas, but nothing is done to improve their standard of living.

Maulana Akbar Chitrali said the budget does not envisage a mechanism to bring down the prices of essential commodities. He proposed that orderly allowance should also be given to the officers of scale seventeen, eighteen and nineteen. Maulana Muhammad Anwar said Pakistan can come out of current difficult situation by truly following the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He said special attention should be paid to address the problems faced by the masses.

Noor-ul-Hassan Tanvir said special incentives should be announced for the overseas Pakistanis who contribute immensely to our economy through remittances. Mahesh Kumar commended the steps announced in the budget for uplift of the agriculture sector especially the solarization of tube-wells. Shahida Rehmani stressed for taking steps to avoid tax evasion saying this will help fund projects under PSDP. She said Pakistan is faced with the issue of climate change, expressing surprise over the reduction in the budget of the Ministry of Climate Change for the next fiscal year. She said women should be encouraged to do business. Later the House was adjourned to meet again tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11:00 am.