President Asif Ali Zardari urged on Monday the federal government to increase salaries and pensions in the upcoming budget and reduce income taxes on the salaried class besides focusing on creating jobs, instead of downsizing.

The president, in his address to the joint session of the parliament marking the beginning of the new parliamentary year, said that the common person, the labourers, and the salaried class were facing “serious economic hardships” with the people burdened by inflation, high prices of essential items, and rising energy costs.

In the next budget, he said the Parliament and the government should provide “real relief” to the people.

The government should take measures in the forthcoming budget to increase salaries and pensions, reduce income taxes on salaried classes and lower energy costs, which would help reduce the financial burden on them, he added.

“At the same time, we should avoid downsizing and job cuts. Instead, our focus should be on creating jobs and utilizing trained manpower productively,” the president added.

President Zardari also called for promoting inclusive and uniform development, ensuring that no province, no district, and no village was left behind.

“The ignored and neglected areas demand urgent attention from the federal government. They also need investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to address their sense of deprivation.”