Senate Continues Discussion On Foreign Policy, Economic Situation

The Senate Monday continued discussion on the government's foreign policy, economic reform agenda and initiatives to overcome price hike of gas and electricity.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2018 ) :The Senate Monday continued discussion on the government's foreign policy, economic reform agenda and initiatives to overcome price hike of gas and electricity.

Participating in the discussion, Faisal Javed of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said the last Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's unlimited corruption and money-laundering was the main reason behind the worst economic conditions in the country. The present government was adopting strong economic policies, which would change the destiny of the nation, he added.

He said the past regimes had set new records of corruption and burdened the country with foreign loans. The past rulers would have to tell the nation where they had used Rs 24,000 billion taken as loans. A property scandal of the past government worth Rs 700 billion in Dubai had been identified, he added.

He said the two political parties had signed the Charter of Democracy to support and protect their corruption. Now for the first time a true process of accountability had started to stop corruption which resulted improving the confidence of people and investors as well, he added.

Senator Javed said due to effective economic policies, the present government had improved the trust of foreign investors while record remittances were being received from overseas Pakistanis.

PTI's Nauman Wazir said senators should maintain pleasant and cordial atmosphere of the parliament by focusing on the public issues instead of criticizing one another.

He said the friendly countries are supporting Pakistan, which was the best solution to improve the economic condition. The country was incurring a loss of Rs 1,300 billion due to electricity theft, while the annual cumulative loss of the power sector was around Rs 2,500 billion.

The government had to increase the tariff to stop power theft, he added.

Senator Mohsin Aziz of the PTI said the government was working on its agenda of economic reforms and improving the life standard of common people. The past regimes had done nothing for the people of the country, he added.

Senator Kauda Babar said the present government should be given credit for improving the country's image internationally. Its prudent economic policies had restored the confidence of foreigners, who were planning to invest in Pakistan, he added.

He said the government was enjoying good cordial relations with China, Saudi Arabia and Iran. "We welcome investment of friendly countries in Gwadar." Senator Mir Kabir Ahmed Shahi of the National Party said the government should take steps to control prices of gas and electricity. He stressed the need to further strengthen relations with neighboring countries, including Iran.

PML-N's Mushahid Ullah Khan asked the government to make plans to give more relief to common people.

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar of the Pakistan Peoples Party said that the government should take steps to overcome price hike of gas and electricity, which would help improve the lives of common men.

Senator Sitara Ayaz of the Awami National Party said the government should introduce pro-poor policies.

Musadik Masood Malik of the PML-N said the government should take steps to control inflation and hike in gas and electricity prices.

Leader of the House Shibli Faraz asked Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan to avoid vitiating the atmosphere of the House.