NA debate: Opposition rejects budget amid praise for PM

ISLAMABAD: As former PM Raja Parvaiz Ashraf showered praise on prime minister and his cabinet for taking difficult decisions to bolster country’s economy, the opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan rejected the budget, decried heavy taxation to the tune of over Rs42 trillion in last three years and belied government’s claims of reduction in inflation rate.

Taking part in debate on budget proposals, the PPP parliamentarian Raja Parvaiz Ashraf said the government risked ruling party’s popularity among masses and took very difficult decisions to overhaul national and broaden the tax base.

“Whether anybody admits or not, it will have to acknowledge that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet took such difficult decision which were unpopular and every government hesitate to take”, Raja Parvaiz Ashraf while taking part in debate on budget proposals said.

He said that it was a reality that the government of Shehbaz Sharif took very difficult decisions which no regime could afford to take.

At the same time, he also mentioned that the leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also extended every possible moral support to the incumbent government. “We feel that while putting aside politics, we should extend moral support to the government”, he said.

While acknowledging complexity of the national economy, he emphasised that it is the government’s responsibility to meet the country’s challenges and provide relief to all segments of the society.

Former prime minister also pointed out that India picked up courage to attack Pakistan with an objective to weaken Pakistan both economically and politically as the adversary was already against existence of the Islamic Republic.

He said that India also wanted to pit people of Pakistan against its armed forces while running a maligned campaign on social media but he noted that the whole nation and political parties stood by the forces.

He praised the nation for rising like “a wall of lead” alongside its armed forces and credited the military for delivering a strong and effective response. He also paid tribute to the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and honoured the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs.

Raja Parvaiz Ashraf also mentioned that Pakistan delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been making hectic diplomatic efforts during the foreign visit while exposing effectively presenting country’s case and exposing adversary’s designs.

The PPP leader while addressing the opposition leadership, stressed that there should be self-respect for each other.

The PPP parliamentarian also observed that 10 percent increase in salaries of government employees was not sufficient in view of inflation.

He said that he had already demanded of the prime minister to focus on betterment of salaried class, pensioners and farmers and protect them.

The opposition leader Omar Ayub said that inflation and price hike had broken back of the common man reducing their by 58 percent in the last three year.

He mentioned that price of milk had been increased by 70 percent, cooking oil by 30 percent and tea by 74 percent in the last three years while 115 million are living below poverty rate. “While the government launches drone attacks of taxes and price hike, the unemployment rate has also increased by 22 percent during this period”, he said.

He alleged that three governments of PDM imposed Rs42.5 trillion taxes mainly depending on indirect taxation.

The opposition leader also demanded withdrawal over five times raise in salaries of the Senate Chairman and the National Assembly Speaker.

On that the Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said that increase in salaries of the Senate Chairman and the Speaker was neither approved by the two House nor the standing committees on finance. “Whosoever increased salaries can also withdraw the same”, he said adding that there would no objection if increase in salaries is taken back. As the opposition leader alleged censoring speeches of the opposition members, the Speaker said the system had developed fault due to thumping of desks during the budget session. He said system is old one and parts are not available while a budget of Rs300 to Rs350 million would be required for restoration of the system. He alleged that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was enjoying more powers than the prime minister. “As caretaker Punjab chief minister facilitated import of Rs450 billion wheat which was a drone attack on farmers of the province”, he said.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry accused opposition parties of playing politics instead of helping the country in difficult times, especially regarding security challenges involving the Taliban and tensions with India. “They crossed the line between fair criticism and harming national interest,” he said.

He called for harmony among institutions and urged everyone to present a united front. “This is the time to show the world we are united,” he said.

Dr Tariq Fazal expressed disappointment while the international community praised Pakistan’s diplomatic response, some voices inside the country were still critical.

He praised the success of Pakistan’s anti-terror operations, saying India’s recent aggression was an attempt to sabotage Pakistan’s action in eliminating terrorist networks.

The minister highlighted the positive role of overseas Pakistanis, credited prime minister for encouraging legal remittances and cracking down on black money.

“In March 2025 alone, we received over $4 billion, and total remittances reached nearly $34.9 billion,” he said, calling it proof of overseas Pakistanis’ trust in Pakistan’s leadership.

He described the federal budget as a shared document for all citizens, not just a few. “This is a people-friendly budget. Every decision has been made in the national interest,” he said.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary warned that any attempt by India to block Pakistan’s water share under the Indus Waters Treaty would be treated as a hostile act — equal to a declaration of war.

Turning to Balochistan, Dr Tariq Fazal said the current government is taking serious steps to address the province’s concerns, especially regarding fair resource distribution. “We are committed to peace in Balochistan and ensuring it receives its fair share of national development,” he said, stressing the importance of equity among provinces.

He accused India of supporting terrorism in Balochistan, particularly through backing the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). He said Indian-sponsored terrorists had even targeted schools in the province.

He warned that if India takes any aggressive step again, Pakistan will respond even more forcefully.

The PTI member Ali Muhammad Khan said Shah Faisal and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were punished for establishing an Islamic block while the PTI Chairman was also punished for attempting to unite the Muslim countries and form their block. Condemning attack Israel’s attack on Iran, he said that it was also a message for Pakistan.

Calling for the national unity, the opposition member said that there was need for a national alliance while forgetting bitterness of the past.