The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday “rejected” the federal budget FY2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, describing it as “influenced” by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“This is a fake government … lacks the power to present a budget,” claimed a statement issued by the PTI’s parliamentary committee, adding it would not accept it. Vowing to protest at all budget-related proceedings, it said it would also raise the issue of state media not broadcasting its lawmakers’ speeches live. “We will protest and bring a privilege motion for not airing the PTI speeches,” it said.
The statement also alleged that the budget had relief for the elite, but had “crushed” the underprivileged.
Salaried class
In a subsequent press conference, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja claimed the proposed budget had no benefit for the salaried class. “They are told to invest money in the stock market,” he said. “People are being encouraged to invest in stock market that fluctuates. The class, which cannot protest, is continuously being burdened,” he added.
Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz urged media to compare the budgets of the PTI’s tenure in power and the incumbent government. He alleged the purchasing power of the public had declined to a level where many people couldn’t afford to sacrifice animals during Eidul Azha.
Faraz further claimed the country’s debt burden left little room to utilize tax revenue for anything other than paying interest.