Senate session: PTI’s leader says ‘it’s present govt’s last budget’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Parliamentary Leader in Senate Barrister Ali Zafar has said that the federal budget recently presented by the incumbent government is its last budget.

“I wish to congratulate the government on presenting this budget — not because it is a good budget but because I believe it is their last budget,” he said, speaking at the Senate budget session on Tuesday.

“After years of broken promises, missed opportunities and failed policies, the people of Pakistan deserve a government that enjoys their confidence and is capable of delivering real change,” the lawmaker added.

“The inflation has reached unprecedented levels, imposing immense hardship on ordinary citizens. Public debt has climbed to record highs, placing an ever-growing burden on future generations. Interest payments on that debt have also risen to historic levels, consuming resources that could otherwise have been invested in development, education and public welfare,” he said.

By the government’s own calculations, Zafar said, an individual earning slightly more than 8,484 rupees per month is apparently considered financially “well off.”

In practical terms, he said, this amounts to roughly Rs 280 per day.

“How could any person be expected to live on such an amount while meeting the costs of food, clothing, shelter, electricity, transportation, healthcare and education for their children?” Senator Zafar questioned.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal’s (JUI-F’s) Parliamentary Leader in Senate Atta Ur Rehman said economic stability cannot be achieved without restoring peace in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Growing frustration, political deprivation and insecurity leads to further alienation among masses,” he said.

Rehman demanded that the policymakers formulate policies based on ground realities and ensure equal treatment of all provinces.

Danesh Kumar from Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) took on the government over what he described as its non-seriousness towards crucial economic matters.

“We are here to discuss the budget, this is Pakistan’s most important financial draft. And what we see is total non-seriousness from the government’s side,” he said, pointing to the absence of the ministers from the House.

Kumar demanded increased development spending, improved infrastructure and equitable distribution of national resources for Balochistan in the federal budget.

Masroor Ahsan from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stressed on supporting local industries, agriculture, exports and the dairy sector.

Amir Waliuddin Chishti of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) said Pakistan’s high energy costs, taxation regime and regulatory environment are discouraging both domestic and foreign investment.

Other senators including Bilal Khan, Zeeshan Khanzada, Humayun Mohmand, Abdul Shakoor, Dost Muhammad, Zarqa Suharwardy, Falak Naz, and Mishal Azam also shared their views on the federal budget.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026