By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD: The federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 passed by National Assembly on Thursday.The Rs.57.57 trillions budget was passed with certain amendments to the Finance Bill, despite strong protests from the opposition.The ruling party PML-N and PPP supported the budget. The government rejecting all cut motions presented by the Opposition.After the acceptance of all demands PPP supported budget 2025-26 .
The Finance Bill 2025 marks a major step in the government’s economic planning for the upcoming year.
The clause-wise approval process of the federal budget 2025-26 was commenced in the National Assembly. Finance Minister Aurangzeb presented motions for the approval of the Finance Bill in the assembly while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present in the House.
Several amendments were proposed by Opposition benches, with Mubeen Arif and Aaliya Kamran urging that public opinion be sought on the bill and that it be delayed until such input is received – their proposal was rejected.
Also, an opposition amendment – seeking to postpone the bill’s approval and refer it for public opinion – was rejected by a majority vote.
As the Finance Bill has been passed, it enables the government to implement its financial agenda for the new fiscal year starting July 1.
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared that his party supported the federal budget 2025-26 because the government accepted all their demands.
During the National Assembly session chaired by Speaker NA Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday, Bilawal said that the government has announced 20 percent increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and therefore PPP is happily supporting the budget.
He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying the party always attempted to reduce funding for the BISP in every budget. On the other hand, Bilawal said, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif increased the BISP allocation in every budget.”
Bilawal added that tax relief has been provided to the salaried class and the government has reduced the solar tax by 50pc on PPP’s recommendation.
Following the budget approval, the National Assembly session has been adjourned until 11:00am tomorrow (Friday).
