ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that international debts had increased to Rs 12 billion during the tenures of ex-president Pervez Musharraf and late Benazir Bhutto.
Speaking at National Assembly (NA), Dar told that debts worth Rs 11 billion were due on the government regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. He added that CPEC project needed to be closed without acquiring debts.
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He told the House that investment of $46 billion will be spent in Pakistan through CPEC, out of which $36 billion will be contributed by the private sector. Within a time span of 3 years, the government had increased Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) budget from Rs 40 billion to Rs 117 billion, he added.
During the session, the National Assembly yesterday approved 22 demands for grants for the next financial year relating to Cabinet, Establishment, Aviation and Capital Administration divisions, their associated departments and Atomic Energy Commission.
The House rejected 335 cut motions moved by opposition members against these demands.
In their speeches on cut motions, the opposition members criticized performance of Cabinet Division, education department, PIA, CDA and Pakistan Baitul Mal.
Those who took part in the debate included Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr Shireen Mazari, Abdul Wasim, Sher Akbar Khan, Jamshed Dasti, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Dr Nafisa Shah, Shaikh Salahuddin, Ali Muhammad Khan, Kishwar Zahra, Shazia Marri, Shehryar Afridi, Shaikh Rashid Ahmad and Shahida Rehmani.
Later, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar concluding debate on cut motions.
About the concerns about foreign loans, he said this government has taken comparatively less foreign loans.
”We cannot stop mega project of CPEC, as these loans are necessary at this stage,” he said adding that the CPEC project is not being digested at international level. “Some international powers are against the development of country,” he added.
