Federal budget: Real test lies in ability to improve lives of ordinary citizens: MNA Niazi

ISLAMABAD: Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Asad Alam Niazi has stressed that the real test of the federal budget lies in its ability to improve the lives of ordinary citizens rather than merely presenting attractive figures and projections.

Taking part in the debate on the National Budget 2026-27, the lawmaker observed that Pakistan is currently grappling with multiple economic challenges, including mounting debt obligations, inflationary pressures, energy security concerns, unemployment and the need to accelerate economic growth.

He noted that the government has proposed a budget outlay of approximately Rs 18.77 trillion, targeting around four percent economic growth while projecting inflation at 8.2 percent.

Niazi argued that the success of any budget should be measured through tangible outcomes such as job creation, reduction in prices, ease of doing business and expansion of economic opportunities. “The poor do not evaluate budgets through figures and tables, but through real improvements in their daily lives,” he emphasised.

Highlighting key policy concerns, he called for continuity of economic policies, transparency in fiscal management and urgent measures to address the fiscal deficit. He also stressed the need to promote a culture of performance and accountability in governance.

Referring to international experiences, including Sri Lanka, the MNA cautioned against economic mismanagement and underscored the importance of prudent financial planning. He pointed out structural weaknesses in the economy, including persistent losses in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), lack of long-term policy planning and ineffective crisis management.

The lawmaker criticised the absence of visible reforms and urged the government to adopt a comprehensive reform agenda to stabilise the economy. He also questioned the current resource allocation priorities, suggesting that provinces must play a more proactive role, while the federal government should rationalise its expenditures.

He warned that without meaningful reforms, transparency and policy consistency, the budget may fail to deliver sustainable economic relief to the public.

Niazi also flagged rapid population growth as a major national security challenge, linking it with water, food, energy security and health issues. He stated that Pakistan’s population has reached around 256 million and, according to official projections, could rise to nearly 390 million by the year 2050.

He cautioned that this demographic surge would require the creation of massive employment opportunities, noting that around 100 million children would eventually need jobs. He added that approximately 40 percent of children under the age of five are officially undernourished, which adversely affects their cognitive development.

He warned that relying on labour export as a future strategy could become increasingly difficult if human capital development is not prioritised.

The MNA concluded that addressing population growth, investing in human development and ensuring consistent economic reforms are essential for achieving long-term stability and sustainable growth.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026