National Assembly Proceeds with Intensive Debate on Federal Budget

Islamabad: The National Assembly is continuing debate on the budget for the next financial year. Participating in the discussion, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar mentioned that incentives have been given to the construction sector in the budget, emphasizing that it will help boost economic activity. She said concrete steps have been proposed in the budget to give impetus to industries, agriculture, and IT sectors. Farah Naz Akbar expressed the confidence that the country will witness accelerated growth in the years to come.

According to Radio Pakistan, Asad Alam Niazi highlighted Pakistan’s improved stature on the international stage, citing its role in the US-Iran peace agreement and its diplomatic victory over India last year. He stressed the importance of bolstering the social protection framework to support the nation’s vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, Raza Ali Gilani urged the government to focus on the welfare of the poor, emphasizing that their needs should be prioritized.

Raja Osama Sarwar acknowledged the challenges faced while presenting the budget for 2026-2027, noting the efforts made to provide public relief under difficult circumstances. He welcomed the increase in the defense budget, asserting that the Pakistani nation stands united with its armed forces. Nazir Ahmad Bhugio, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed seven percent salary increase for employees, arguing for a minimum raise of fifteen percent to better address inflationary pressures.

Usama Ahmed Mela praised the Benazir Income Support Programme as a noteworthy initiative, advocating for its digitization to facilitate easier access for women beneficiaries. Engineer Gul Asghar Khan, Parliamentary Secretary for Communications, outlined the budget’s objectives of avoiding major new taxes while offering relief to low-income groups. He pointed out the abolition of income tax for individuals earning up to fifty thousand rupees monthly and the imposition of a nominal tax on those earning up to one hundred thousand rupees, which he deemed a positive step for the salaried class.

PPP MNA Asma Arbab Alamgir called for the operationalization of Swat airport to promote tourism and urged the exploitation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mineral resources for economic development. Ali Asghar Khan advocated for austerity measures and reduced administrative expenditures to alleviate the public’s financial burden.

Natasha Daultana commended national leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for their diplomatic efforts in reducing regional tensions between Iran and the United States. She also urged for relief measures targeting the middle class. Conversely, Khawaja Shehraz Mehmood criticized the government’s wheat procurement policy, while Sofia Saeed Shah expressed concerns about the Federal Board of Revenue’s recovery system, highlighting the fiscal constraints posed by pensions and debt servicing.

Additional speakers, including Muhammad Moin Aamer Pirzada, Hassan Sabir, Saeeda Jamshid, Shakir Bashir Awan, and Aamir Talal Khan, contributed to the ongoing budget debate. The House is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow at eleven in the morning.