Islamabad: The National Assembly has passed the budget for 2024-25, with a majority of votes in favor of the Rs 16,877 billion budget. This critical development came amid a highly charged atmosphere that characterizes budget sessions in Pakistan.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Finance Bill 2024-25. It went through a detailed clause-by-clause review in the National Assembly. But it soon became clear that the opposition would not let it pass without a fight. Opposition members made significant noise, chanting “No, No” to disrupt the proceedings and show their disapproval of these proposals.
While approving the budget, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) withdrew its amendments about reducing petroleum development levy –– a strategic retreat possibly influenced by numbers game realization on their part. All other amendments moved by the opposition were rejected one after another, systematically indicating the ruling party’s iron grip on the legislation-making process aimed at passing the proposed budget as is.
Several high-profile personalities attended the session, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, among others, highlights the importance of this event and the level of political involvement therein. Nevertheless, the opposition remained unenthusiastic about this particular financial document, describing it as IMF-driven and anti-poor.
One issue that attracted the most heat during the session was the reduction in the petroleum development levy. One hundred seventy members voted against it, while only 84 assembly members supported it. Leading cover all bases position defeated amendment vis-a-vis imposing taxes/levies related matters other than initially proposed, which happened here. When the majority rejected everything the opposing side suggested regarding this specific matter. MOF himself announced a reduction in the Petroleum Levy, thus trying to appease public opinion and partially addressing some concerns raised during the debate.
Adding fuel to an already fiery session, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser voiced concerns over KP projects and funds allocation, accusing the government of sidelining the province by giving it some projects and stopping funds. This severe charge prompted PM Shehbaz Sharif to personally respond with clarifications.
Another hot exchange came from Junaid Akbar Khan Sunni Ittehad Council. Who quoted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement about being imprisoned? As the founder of PTI warned, “When our government comes, we will show you what prison is. You will return everything, including interest in what you did to our women, highlighting deeply ingrained rivalries. And high-pitched political rhetoric during such critical legislative sessions in Pakistan.
The 2024-25 budget approval by Pakistan’s National Assembly was a big deal because it showed how hard governing can be. There was one long argument after another in that session, but that means their democracy is healthy and working—even if it’s messy. The lawmakers represented many different opinions and had to fight hard to get what they wanted into law.
