Coronavirus adversely affected economy including exports, tax collection: Jamali.

Islamabad -- Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali said coronavirus has adversely affected the economy including exports and tax collection. He appreciated the government for not imposing any new tax in the budget. He asked the government to take steps to address the issue of water shortage in Balochistan. He expressed these remarks in National Assembly session.

National Assembly resumed its session at the parliament house in Islamabad on Thursday with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair. At the outset, the house offered fateha for legendary TV and Radio host Tariq Aziz who passed away on Wednesday.

The House is now continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year.

Participating in the budget debate on Thursday, Naveed Qamar said the government has set unrealistic targets including that of the tax collection and the GDP growth for the next fiscal year. He said the government should fully support the agriculture sector to ensure food security during these difficult times. He said sufficient number of aircraft and other equipment should immediately be procured to confront the threat of locusts. He said apart from building new dams, it is important to invest in water conservation projects.

Mohsin Dawar said the tribal districts should be given their due share in development funds. He said a parliamentary committee should be constituted to investigate into the deforestation carried out in the tribal districts. He said salaries of employees should be enhanced whilst a special risk allowance should be given to the health workers who are playing the frontline soldiers in the fight against COVID-19.

Lal Chand said the federal government has provided Sehat Insaf cards and cash assistance under Ehsaas Program to the people of Tharparkar. He said the Sindh government should also pay attention to address the problems faced by Tharparkar.

Khurram Dastgir said the price hike has...