ISLAMABAD –Asad Umar has criticized his party’s government and asked to reconsider the increased tax on sugar and cooking oil in the federal budget 2019-20.
Former finance minister, while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Thursday, expressed reservations on the first federal budget presented by Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI).
“Prices of sugar have already risen at an alarming rate, and I think this should also be investigated,” said PTI leader.
“It was inappropriate to raise tax on sugar when the price had already risen at an alarming rate”.
He urged the Dr Abdul Hafeexz Sheikh to take back taxes on edible oil and ghee. The PTI leader said gas infrastructure development charges should be abolished.
An increase of 10 to 15 per cent in the pension should also be considered. “Labourers should be registered at the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) along with domestic workers,” he urged the PTI high ups.
He said the previous government left the economy in shambles. Due to the incumbent government efforts, the current account deficit decreased by 70 per cent in just a few months.
