The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has withheld its support for the federal budget until political issues are addressed, resulting in a delay in its approval from June 24 to June 28. This has led the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to halt its work on the finance bill. Sources indicate that the Friday morning session of the Finance Committee has been canceled, and the finance bill will not be considered in the evening session.
The budget must be passed by Parliament and implemented by July 1, as constitutionally required. If not passed by June 30, the government could face dissolution. Sources suggest that the PPP is leveraging this situation to pressure the government to meet its political demands. PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla noted that while agreements have been made regarding the finance bill, political issues remain unresolved. He confirmed the PPP’s support for passing the finance bill but emphasized ongoing political negotiations.
Read more: PPP Symbolically Boycotts Punjab Budget Over Inclusion Issues
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has already arrived at the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Bhutto Zardari plans to express his concerns about the federal budget, and the Prime Minister is expected to provide assurances on the government’s position.
This delay underscores the significant political maneuvering as parties negotiate their positions and demands ahead of the new fiscal year. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining the government’s stability and direction moving forward.
