ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar has said that it is constitutionally mandatory for the Senate to present its budget suggestions to the National Assembly.
While responding to point raised by PPP member, Syed Naveed Qamar, he said that this practice has been upheld for many years, noting that while the NA has the sole authority to approve the finance bill.
Ishaq Dar also highlighted that according to the constitution of Pakistan, the Senate is required to formulate and submit its proposals to the National Assembly within 14 days. Dar also admitted the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, for its role in preparing these suggestions with representation from all the political parties.
Underlining the importance of respecting both houses of Parliament, he also affirmed that the Senate has also fulfilled its constitutional duty by submitting its suggestions on the budget. PPP member Syed Naveed Qamar stated that the constitutional prerogative for passing the budget rests with the National Assembly.
