ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to summon the National Assembly session on January 10 for holding a debate on the mini-budget and make efforts for its approval.
Dr Babar Awan, adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs said the summary was ready to convene NA session on Monday (Jan 10).
Babar Awan said the assembly in its new session would take up recommendations of the Senate on the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 which were introduced by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in the National Assembly on Dec 30, 2021.
PM’s adviser said the government would not let the opposition block legislation through disruptions, adding the doors for negotiations on legislation are still open for the opposition.
Important to note is that the approval of the finance bill seeking to amend certain laws related to taxes and duties and the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2021 is essential to ensure approval of Pakistan’s sixth review of the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility on January 12 which will lead to disbursement of about $1bn tranche to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaider earlier had stated that the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 would not be referred to the standing committee and instead it would be debated.
The government had laid the finance bill in the Senate on January 4 and Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani handed over it to the house committee on finance to prepare its recommendations within three days.
It is believed that the opposition members would try to block the government’s move to present the bills in the parliament.
Furthermore, Finance Minister Tarin had said the Senate could finalise its recommendations in four days and then the bill could be approved by the National Assembly. He, nevertheless, stated there was no problem for the International Monetary Fund if the approval of the bill was delayed for a few days.
