Senate’s Business Advisory Committee proposes ban on Parliamentarians’ foreign trips
ISLAMABAD: The Senate’s Business Advisory Committee proposed a ban on Parliamentarians’ foreign trips due to the prevailing economic challenges.
The committee held a special meeting in Islamabad to discuss preparations for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Senate. The committee also prepared recommendations for promoting austerity by reducing expenditures.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani chaired the meeting of the Senate’s Business Advisory Committee. Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and other Senators _ Shahadat Awan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, and Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani participated in the meeting.
In the meeting, Chairman Senate and Senators proposed a three-month ban on foreign visits of the Parliamentarians. They were of the opinion that foreign tours should be allowed only in unavoidable circumstances.
Austerity and Golden Jubilee of Senate
The participants of the Business Advisory Committee gave their suggestions to minimize expenditures and celebrate Golden Jubilee with simplicity.
Addressing the members of the committee, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani said that tough decisions will be taken to overcome economic challenges. He said that a 3-day special session of the Senate will begin from March 15-17.
In the upcoming session, all Senators will get a chance to share their points of view about austerity measures. Mr Sanjrani said that keeping in view the challenging economic situation in the country, the ceremony will be organized in a simple but prestigious manner.
He made it clear that the Golden Jubilee celebrations will be confined strictly to Senate. He said that the earlier decision to invite foreign dignitaries to the Golden Jubilee celebration is being changed unanimously with the aim to put the minimum burden on the state exchequer.
The committee also recommended a cut in the fuel allowance of the chairmen of the standing committees of the Senate.
Ishaq Dar rejects default news
Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar outrightly rejected the news and speculations of default. He said that the country is experiencing some financial difficulties, but he ruled out the possibility of default.
He said that with effective policies, the government will overcome the economic crisis. He also said that the nation should adopt austerity to avoid unnecessary expenditures.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani endorsed the viewpoint of the finance minister Ishaq Dar and said, “We will have to work day and night to get out of the current economic challenges.”
Senate Chairman also expressed satisfaction over the measures Ishaq Dar has taken to improve the economic situation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Senate and members of the Senate’s Business Advisory Committee appreciated the efforts of Ishaq to steer the country out of the crisis.
The Opposition Leader in the Senate Dr. Wasim Shehzad also endorsed the viewpoint of the Chairman Senate. Also, Senator Saleem Mandviwala fully supported the recommendations of the Chairman Senate.
Moreover, PPP’s Senator Yousaf Raza Gillani suggested that the Golden Jubilee of the Senate should be celebrated with simplicity. Law Minister said that the attendance of all the Senators in the Golden Jubilee celebrations must be ensured.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said in the meeting that the government should take effective measures to control the prices of essential food items.
Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri appreciated the federal cabinet’s decision to give up pay and perks, reduce cars and pay their utility bills from their own resources. He said that it was a good decision to reduce the salaries of parliamentarians.
And the parliamentarians would surrender their luxury vehicles to the government. Moulana Haideri also said that the government should announce similar measures for the civil bureaucracy to reduce expenditures.
All the members of the Business Advisory Committee of the Senate gave their suggestions to promote austerity and keep the expenditures minimum in the prevailing circumstances.
