ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that it is constitutionally mandatory for the Senate to present its budget recommendations to the National Assembly.
While responding to a point raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Syed Naveed Qamar, Dar said that this practice has been upheld for many years, noting that the National Assembly has the sole authority to pass the finance bill.
He said that according to the constitution, the Senate is required to formulate and submit its recommendations to the National Assembly within 14 days, the official news agency reported.
Dar acknowledged the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, for its role in preparing these recommendations with representation from all the political parties.
Underlining the significance of respecting both houses of the parliament, he affirmed that the Senate has fulfilled its constitutional duty by submitting its recommendations on the budget.
PPP member Syed Naveed Qamar said that the constitutional prerogative for passing the budget rests with the National Assembly.
