PPP Says It Will Remain Part of Budget Process
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari joined the federal budget session after rumours spread that the party might boycott the proceedings.
Bilawal reached Parliament after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting took place as political uncertainty grew ahead of the presentation of the federal budget.
Earlier, the PPP rejected reports that it had decided to boycott the budget session. The party said it would remain part of the budget process in the national interest.
The party had earlier stated that Bilawal would not attend the session, but some PPP members would participate. However, Bilawal later appeared in Parliament after consultations with senior government figures.
The development helped reduce political pressure on the ruling coalition during a high-stakes budget session.
The federal government is set to present a Rs17.5 trillion budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The spending plan comes under strict pressure from International Monetary Fund conditions.
Dar Meets Bilawal Amid Political Tension
The rumours began after reports suggested that PPP lawmakers had discussed boycotting the budget session following a parliamentary party meeting in Islamabad.
Soon after the reports surfaced, Ishaq Dar visited Bilawal at his Parliament office. Senator Sherry Rehman and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar were also present during the meeting.
Bilawal had earlier told reporters that the Gilgit-Baltistan election would not be snatched away. His remarks came amid political concerns linked to the region’s election process.
PPP’s presence in the budget session is important for the federal government. The party is the second-largest force in the ruling alliance and plays a key role in maintaining the coalition’s parliamentary strength.
Budget Comes Under IMF and Economic Pressure
The National Assembly currently has 326 sitting members, as 10 seats are vacant.
The ruling alliance holds support from 237 members. This includes 125 members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and 74 from the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Other coalition partners include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and several smaller parties and independents.
The opposition has 89 members in total. These include independents, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam members and representatives from smaller parties.
The government’s new budget is expected to focus on revenue generation, spending cuts and relief for vulnerable citizens.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is expected to present the budget as Pakistan faces pressure from IMF-linked austerity demands and global uncertainty.
The Iran-US conflict has also added economic pressure by affecting energy prices and increasing risks for inflation.
The budget is expected to include fiscal tightening, limited salary increases for government workers and measures aimed at protecting the poorest citizens.
Bilawal’s participation signals that the PPP will remain engaged in the budget process despite political disagreements.
