The National Assembly has approved nine demands for grants amounting to Rs145.32 billion. These funds will cover the expenditures of the Foreign Affairs Division, Interior Division, Law and Justice Division, and the National Food Security and Research Division for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. The approval came despite the rejection of a total of 223 cut motions proposed by opposition members.
The National Assembly has completed the approval process for grants to meet the expenditures of all federal ministries, their divisions, and departments. On Thursday, the House addressed the remaining demands for grants for the Foreign Affairs Division, Interior Division, Law and Justice Division, and National Food Security and Research Division. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, opposed all 223 cut motions presented by opposition members regarding these grants.
The finance minister presented two demands for grants for the Foreign Affairs Division, totaling Rs51.863 billion, for approval in the House. Despite opposition members moving 44 cut motions against these demands, they were ultimately rejected. Opposition members voiced concerns about the government’s foreign policy, especially regarding neighboring countries.
Opposition member Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar criticized the government for lacking an independent foreign policy, particularly concerning China, the United States, and Afghanistan. He emphasized the need for improved relations with neighboring countries, including India. Ali Muhammad Khan also pointed out the absence of a clear policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Kashmir issue.
In response, the foreign minister dismissed claims of Pakistan facing isolation on the international stage. He assured that the government would use international forums effectively to address the Kashmir dispute and the situation in Gaza. He also highlighted that relations with Afghanistan are a priority, with ongoing communication and plans for a visit to Kabul.
The Minister for Finance and Revenue presented five demands for grants worth Rs56.64 billion for the Interior Division. The House approved these grants, rejecting 107 cut motions from opposition members. The approved grants included Rs20.4 billion for the Islamabad Capital Territory, Rs1.015 billion for the National Counter Terrorism Authority, Rs9.07 billion for development expenditures of the Interior Division, and Rs10.78 billion for other expenditures of the Interior Division.
Opposition members criticized Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi for his absence during the discussion of grants and cut motions related to his ministry. They emphasized the importance of his presence in the House during such crucial discussions.
The finance minister presented three demands for grants totaling Rs15.62 billion for the Law and Justice Division. This included Rs8.273 billion for the Law and Justice Division, Rs237.4 million for the Council of Islamic Ideology, and Rs7.11 billion for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The House approved these demands through a majority voice vote, rejecting 26 cut motions from opposition members.
Two demands for grants, totaling Rs21.2 billion, were tabled for the National Food Security and Research Division. The House approved these grants with a majority vote, rejecting 46 cut motions from the opposition. The approved grants included Rs6.4 billion for the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council.
Opposition members expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the National Food Security and Research Division. They called for a transparent inquiry into the wheat import scandal and demanded that the real culprits be held accountable.
