Profile of Dr. Riffat Saqlain
\n<\/b>
\nRegistrar Lahore college For Women University
\nDean of Social Sciences
\nHead of the Economics department<\/p>\n
She\u00a0 did\u00a0 her\u00a0 masters\u00a0 from\u00a0 government\u00a0 college Lahore and\u00a0 won\u00a0 academic\u00a0 role\u00a0 of\u00a0 Honor, She\u00a0 has\u00a0\u00a0 34\u00a0 years\u00a0 of\u00a0 teaching\u00a0 experience\u00a0 in\u00a0 Lahore\u00a0 college\u00a0 for\u00a0 women\u00a0 university. She\u00a0 has\u00a0 been\u00a0 the joint\u00a0 editor\u00a0 of\u00a0 Economic\u00a0 Journal department\u00a0 of\u00a0 economics\u00a0 ,\u00a0 Government\u00a0 College\u00a0 Lahore .Her\u00a0 area\u00a0 of\u00a0 interest\u00a0 is\u00a0 development Economics.<\/p>\n
Under the auspices of Jahangir’s World Times a Discussion Forum is organized at the Department of Economics in LCWU, Lahore. The discussion was chaired by Dr. Rifat Saqlain the Dean of Social Sciences as well as chairperson of the Department of Economics while MS. Uzma and MS. Hafsa faculty members of the department also participated in the debate along with students. The students and faculty members shared their views on the Expectations of Common Man from the Budget 2012-2013. Their arguments were logical, convincing and categorically sound. Actually, their views reflect a vision and economic concerns of common man as far as annual budget 2012-2013 is concerned. Pakistan. Thus, they applied their general understanding about the present economic situation of Pakistan vis-\u00c3\u00a0-vis economic worries of public.<\/p>\n
The discussion was started by MS. Uzma she said, ‘Today peoples of Pakistan are facing a severe energy crisis that is why the common man is expecting an immediate relief from the energy crisis in the upcoming budget 2012-2013. In fact, people want the end of this energy crisis so; they are expecting that government will allocate funds for new dams and other development projects of public welfare. Actually, ‘hydel energy’ is the economical source of power generation available in Pakistan because a unit of electricity generated through hydel power costs less than 1 rupee per unit while a unit generated through thermal power generation costs 6 rupees per unit. Thus why I am emphasizing more on the energy crisis because; it brutally affected the life of not only a common man but businessmen too. Now the students will elaborate other expectation of the common man related to the budget 2012-2013.’
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\nAattiqa Anwer student of BS-Economics 8th semester the first student speaker said, Defense expenditure is the most important part of our budget because we live in a difficult neighborhood and also facing security threats. In the current year government allocated 495 billion rupees for the defense expenditure but most of these funds are spent on the military officials and on their lavish living styles. In addition, I would say a common man also expects that defense expenditure would be discussed in the parliament during the budget session because peoples of Pakistan want to know what and how government is spending for their security.<\/p>\n
Anum Maqsood another student of BS-Economics 8th semester said, I would second the opinion of madam Uzma that the greatest expectation of common man from the upcoming budget is the end of energy crisis. Dr. Samar Mubark is constantly saying that he can produce electricity less than 1 rupee per unit from the Thar Coal reserves but the\u00a0\u00a0 government seems reluctant as far as allocations of funds are concerned for this project. Moreover, construction of big dams is also the need of the hour. So, first of all in my opinion government should build consensus for the Kala Bagh Dam and if it is not possible then it should go ahead for other mega dams vis-\u00c3\u00a0-vis taping of renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy. But unfortunately government is far behind on this count\u009d.<\/p>\n
Sadia Qadeer student of BS-Economics 8th semester talked about the allocations for the development projects in the upcoming budget she was of the opinion that government should reduce its expenditures by restricting the perks and privileges of their ministers and MNAs and MPAs instead of cutting the development budget.In the fiscal year (FY) 2010-2011 the government spent Rs 216 billion on development projects but in the current FY it reduced the funds for development up to RS: 196billion. Because in my opinion infrastructure is the need of hour for economic growth so; government should pay more attention to railway department and resolve its crisis and develop new roads and bridges in an unbiased manner. Moreover, current healthcare spending which accounts for 0.7% of national budget is quite low. I expect that in the upcoming budget more funds will be allocated for healthcare as it is expected that dengue can attack again. To sum up I must say that government should pay heed to the development expenditures in the upcoming budget at both federal and provincial levels. Equal funds should be allocated to each province so that no one can feel that it is being neglected. Last but not the least development in Baluchistan should be taken into serious account along with a proper check on corruption, if the government doesn’t want to lose that part of Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Samra Khalid student of MS economics looking energetic spoke very differently she said, I would say in this budget the government of Pakistan should divert their budget for needy people who are suffering in vulnerable condition instead of spending the money on their l own life style. Because elite class prepare the budget that is why a common man does not show any interest in the budget. In fact, bureaucrats and politicians want to maximize their perks and privileges. For instance, our politician or parliamentarians pay visit to abroad for begging loans in chartered plans and with almost hundred of minister, advisors which is costing million of rupees. But if the government reduces these expanses and will start relying on our own resources whatever we have; then definitely the expectations and concerns of the common man can be addressed surely. Actually, our government burnt million of rupees weekly to maintain their lavish lifestyle. In the end I would like to say that our politicians should realize the importance of austerity and self reliant. We are not realizing the importance of these measures that is why we are standing in crucial situation. This is the only way to maximize the welfare of people through budget\u009d.<\/p>\n
Nida Munir another student of M.S Economics said that there are many gossips going around about this budget. Most of the public believe that this budget will be another shell bomb being dropped on them and would immensely increase their miseries and troubles. Because in the last four years the government has not done much effort in terms of eliminating or even reducing the economic problems faced by the masses. Its policies have actually lead towards the devastating situation that we are facing today. Massive unemployment, Inflation increasing day by day, high electricity tariffs, energy crisis and so on but there is no end; this all has happened because government spends most of its budget on non-development expenditures. Thus masses want to have a long term relief from the government than a short term benefit as it seems because it is the budget of an election year.<\/p>\n
Iqra Ejaz another student of BS-Economics 8th semester was looking elegant spoke in a unique way she said that presentation of Annual Federal Budget in the Parliament is an annual activity. Whereas, all kind of expectations exist before the announcement of the budget. For instance, the salaried classes are hoping for substantial rise in their salaries to protect themselves against the rising cost of inflation and related cost of living expenditure. Similarly, the working class of the country has a desire to get their monthly wages raised from a minimum of Rs. 7,000 per month to some appropriate and befitting level. People expect that government will control inflation. The upcoming Budget of 2012 is very important for all of us because it’s the 5th and may be the final budget of this democratic government. I would like to emphasis here on the education sector literacy rate is claimed to be over 45% in Pakistan. If criteria to calculate literacy rate is considered above Primary Education, real literacy rate in Pakistan may be around 10% which is very low. However, my perception regarding the upcoming budget is not only to concentrate on increasing literacy but to accelerate functional literacy too. Because in my opinion Quality and equality of education is the crying need everywhere. In order to make progress in educational system there is need to raise the percentage of expenditures on education.<\/p>\n
In the end head of the department Dr. Riffat Saqlain concluded the debate.\u00a0 She\u00a0 said\u00a0 that\u00a0 the\u00a0 most\u00a0 important\u00a0 expectation\u00a0 is relief in\u00a0 terms\u00a0 of\u00a0 increase\u00a0 in\u00a0 the\u00a0 real\u00a0 purchasing\u00a0 power\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 provision\u00a0 of\u00a0 basic\u00a0 necessities.\u00a0 She\u00a0 also\u00a0 added\u00a0 that\u00a0 there\u00a0 is\u00a0 rising\u00a0 income\u00a0 disparities\u00a0 among\u00a0 the\u00a0 masses and to deal with\u00a0 this\u00a0 issue\u00a0 government\u00a0 must\u00a0 bring\u00a0 the\u00a0 elite\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 agricultural\u00a0 class\u00a0 into\u00a0 the\u00a0 tax\u00a0 net\u00a0 by\u00a0 imposing\u00a0 agricultural\u00a0 income\u00a0 tax . She\u00a0 quoted\u00a0 the\u00a0 finance\u00a0 minister\u00a0 who\u00a0 said\u00a0 in\u00a0 a\u00a0 recent\u00a0 press\u00a0 briefing that\u00a0 there\u00a0 are\u00a0 only\u00a0 two\u00a0 taxes\u00a0 in\u00a0 the\u00a0 upcoming\u00a0 budget\u00a0 sales\u00a0 tax\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 income\u00a0 tax.\u00a0 She\u00a0 pointed\u00a0 that\u00a0 the\u00a0 general\u00a0 sales\u00a0 tax\u00a0 is\u00a0 against\u00a0 the\u00a0 equity\u00a0 consideration\u00a0 so\u00a0 progressive\u00a0 and\u00a0 equity\u00a0 based\u00a0 taxation\u00a0 like\u00a0 income\u00a0 and\u00a0 agricultural\u00a0 tax\u00a0 should\u00a0 be\u00a0 imposed. About\u00a0 the\u00a0 energy\u00a0 crisis\u00a0 she\u00a0 said\u00a0 that\u00a0 to\u00a0 deal\u00a0 with\u00a0 the\u00a0 energy\u00a0 crises\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 rising\u00a0 unemployment\u00a0 government\u00a0 should\u00a0 start\u00a0 mega\u00a0 projects.\u00a0 She\u00a0 further\u00a0 added\u00a0 that\u00a0 government\u00a0 should\u00a0 take\u00a0 measures\u00a0 for\u00a0 the\u00a0 prompt\u00a0 access\u00a0 to\u00a0 the\u00a0 basic\u00a0 necessities\u00a0 like\u00a0 education,\u00a0 health\u00a0 and\u00a0 transportation. Thank You!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WORLD TIMES’\u009d At the Department of Economics, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Lahore. Profile of Dr. Riffat Saqlain Registrar Lahore college For Women University Dean of Social Sciences Head of the Economics department She\u00a0 did\u00a0 her\u00a0 masters\u00a0 from\u00a0 government\u00a0 college Lahore and\u00a0 won\u00a0 academic\u00a0 role\u00a0 of\u00a0 Honor, She\u00a0 has\u00a0\u00a0 34\u00a0 years\u00a0 of\u00a0 teaching\u00a0 experience\u00a0 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":454,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[131,7754],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10280"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/454"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10280"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10280\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}