PTI leaders label budget as anti people

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan Wednesday expressed his concerns over the current economic and political challenges facing Pakistan and the federal budget FY 2024-25 presented by the government.

He was addressing media persons along with party leader Ali Muhammad Khan in front of the parliament in Islamabad.

They described the federal budget as anti-people and anti-economy. 

Omar Ayoub criticized the lack of consultation by the government in decision-making processes regarding budget making and highlighted the opposition's ownership claims backed by the IMF.

"Let me tell you today, for the first time in parliament, there has been a constitutional violation during the budget," Omar Ayub stressed.

“I have presented four budgets in this house”, he said adding that documents of the finance minister with Article 73, pink books, and economic survey have to be read there.

He further said that the minister did not mention the deficit in the budget and termed it a fake budget.

He lamented that the government formed on form 47 is playing its role in converting the country into a banana republic.

Khan claimed that credit went to the PTI government for reducing load shedding in Pakistan by 80% during his tenure.

Omar also raised concerns about the potential smuggling of rice to Iran in exchange for oil smuggling and accused the PPP of betrayal.

Leader of opposition in the national assembly, Omar Gohar Ayoub expressed skepticism over reported industrial growth and production increases, citing recent hikes in electricity rates.

The opposition leader challenged the federal finance minister's claim, asking which type of industrial production was mentioned in the budget speech.

 Omar said that farmers are cursing the rulers as the government deceives them.

He questioned about the industrial production in the country.

He alleged Mohsin Naqvi for financial malpractice and accused him of not filing tax returns.

Ali Mohammad Khan also expressed his concerns over the proposed federal budget.

Khan criticized the budget's presentation by lawmakers associated with Form 47.

 He urged the authorities to take a sensible approach, warning of the dire consequences of political instability.

"What do you want by giving them the government? Do you want Pakistan to lose?" he asked, pointing to the broader national stakes.

He questioned the constitutional validity of the budget, suggesting it represented a hijacked mandate rather than the will of the people.

Khan criticized the relegation of the majority party to the opposition, raising doubts about the authenticity of the government's mandate.

He called for a comprehensive audit of the entire election process by the Chief Justice, implying that the true essence of the election had been compromised.