Before the Senate could begin discussing the budget proposals for the upcoming financial year, the PTI protested on Wednesday, denouncing what they described as an anti-people budget that would exacerbate public misery through additional taxes.
Following the presentation of the Finance Bill in the Senate, Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz criticized the proposed taxes, arguing that they would deepen the suffering of people already struggling with high inflation. Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani interrupted to ask if Faraz was delivering his budget speech, to which Faraz replied negatively, stating it was a protest against the planned tax increases.
Faraz condemned the government for imposing more taxes without considering the public mandate, accusing them of pushing the populace to the brink. He described the current economic situation as the worst in fifty years, blaming incompetence, mismanagement, and poor governance. He demanded that the finance minister explain why the citizens were being punished and sought clarification on the government’s plans for the economy and the country’s future.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, also the Leader of the House, defended the budget proposals, emphasizing the need to balance resources and revenues. He supported increasing salaries for government employees in Grade 1-16 by 25% and in Grade 17-22 by 20%, along with a 15% pension increase. Dar criticized the opposition leader for prematurely criticizing the budget before discussions had started, stating that while the government was open to hearing and responding to Faraz’s points, such sweeping statements were inappropriate.
Throughout Dar’s speech, opposition lawmakers chanted slogans against the budget, continuing even after the session adjourned until Thursday.
Earlier, Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb had formally submitted the Finance Bill 2024 to the Senate, as required by Article 73 of the Constitution. He invited senators to submit recommendations on the Finance Bill, which would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
Chairman Gilani requested that members submit their recommendations on the Finance Bill by Friday, June 14, by noon at the latest, warning that no late recommendations would be accepted. Recommendations concerning the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) would be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiative and then forwarded to the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue by June 21. The Finance and Revenue Committee would then submit its recommendations to the Senate by June 24.
Gilani announced that the Senate would begin discussions on the Finance Bill on Thursday.
