Opposition leader hails 20pc defence budget hike
Opening the budget debate in the National Assembly, Ayub called the government's fiscal plan a 'Leila budget' – a term he used to suggest it was 'an illusion' – and accused the administration of presenting manipulated figures to mask economic deterioration.
Despite his criticism, Ayub endorsed the 20 per cent increase in the defence budget, including the Rs742 billion allocated for military pensions, bringing the total defence outlay to Rs3.292 trillion. He described the hike as 'totally justified' in light of recent border tensions and national security concerns.
He dismissed the government's reported 2.7 per cent GDP growth rate as 'fudged', citing figures from the Economic Survey of Pakistan that showed agricultural growth at just 0.6 per cent and industrial growth at -0.5 per cent. He argued that large-scale manufacturing had contracted more sharply than officially acknowledged.
He was also sceptical of livestock statistics, mocking a reported increase of 360,000 animals, including a rise of 100,000 donkeys, without a matching surge in mules. 'Where are the mules,' he quipped.
The opposition leader questioned the government's claim of a 23.7 per cent growth in the IT sector, suggesting that large industrialists had set up IT firms to exploit tax loopholes, while genuine technology companies were relocating abroad due to what he described as punitive tax measures.
Ayub painted a bleak picture of living standards, asserting that the proportion of Pakistanis living below the poverty line had climbed from 35 per cent to 45 per cent, with nearly 30 million people now classified as poor.
He said purchasing power had collapsed, noting that someone earning Rs50,000 in 2022 now effectively had the spending capacity of just Rs22,000.
Citing official statistics, he said wheat prices had surged by 50 per cent in three years, and 80 per cent of the planning budget remained unused or had lapsed.
The opposition leader criticised the government's decision to cut the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) budget from Rs1,400 billion to Rs1,100 billion, calling it a sign of weak governance.
He also pointed out that Rs8.207 trillion – nearly half of the Rs17.573 trillion budget – was earmarked for interest payments. He said this allocation underscored the government's misplaced priorities and undermined its claims of being pro-people.
Ayub accused the government of imposing heavy burdens on consumers, pointing to the hike in the petroleum development levy (PDL), which now stands at Rs100 per litre, compared with Rs20 during former prime minister Imran Khan's tenure.
He alleged a sharp rise in oil smuggling from Iran, claiming that around 2.17 billion litres of fuel – worth Rs550 billion – enter Pakistan illegally each year, resulting in an annual loss of Rs173 billion in PDL revenue.
He said the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Mahmood Langrial, had admitted this issue during a parliamentary committee meeting.
While global oil prices were hovering around $64 per barrel, domestic petrol prices had jumped by roughly 70 per cent, from Rs149 to Rs253 per litre, Ayub said.
He also raised concerns about a 24 per cent decline in energy consumption, attributing it to prohibitively high electricity tariffs. He condemned new taxes on solar panels and criticised rising capacity payments, which he said had soared by 375 per cent under the current government.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a military-backed initiative aimed at attracting foreign investment, also came under fire.
Ayub questioned the competence of its members and called on the government to disclose their educational qualifications to assess their suitability.
While acknowledging marginal progress in export performance, Ayub concluded by urging a revision of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources among Pakistan's provinces.
Taking part in the debate, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) acknowledged that the current administration had made politically unpopular decisions in an effort to stabilise the economy.
'These actions must be recognised,' he said, drawing a parallel to Pakistan's historical resilience. 'If we can win a war in four days, we can also fix our fragile economy – if we stand united.'
Ashraf defended the budget as appropriate given the prevailing economic conditions and praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for what he described as courageous leadership.
'The prime minister has sacrificed his political capital for the sake of the country,' he said, adding that borrowing from international institutions is a necessity for all governments, regardless of party affiliation.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, echoed the emphasis on economic reform, stating that the government is prioritising the creation of a favourable investment climate.
'We are implementing reforms across sectors to place the country on the path to sustainable development,' he added.
He said that the budget includes specific measures aimed at the development of Balochistan and assured the house that constructive suggestions from both government and opposition members would be considered.
Several parliamentarians, including Syed Hafeezuddin, Samina Khalid, Jamshed Dasti, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Syed Waseem Hussain, Yousaf Khan and Shahida Rehmani, took part in the ongoing budget debate.
While government allies praised the administration's management of a fragile economy amid political uncertainty, opposition members accused Prime Minister Sharif's government of following International Monetary Fund (IMF) directives at the expense of the poor, criticising what they described as the continuation of a 'Form 47-installed regime'.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Jailed abroad
At a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis last week, it was revealed that over 17,000 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned abroad, with most of them detained in Middle East countries. While this number in itself is enough to raise a few eyebrows — with India having around 10,000 nationals detained abroad and Bangladesh 9,000 — supplementary introspection is necessary yet amiss. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to provide further details about the reasons for arrests, unnecessarily extending the measures for due process, and expedition where possible. According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, "To enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in accordance with law is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be ..." But unfortunately, many Pakistani nationals remain stagnating in international prisons regardless of the nature and gravity of their crimes. Many of these victims are often jailed due to petty crimes, while others are victims of unreliable prosecutions and sometimes even bigotry. Regardless of the reasons for imprisonment, the state is duty-bound to provide consular assistance to those imprisoned. But lax implementation of consular protection laws coupled with inadequate data deprives them of their rights. These are people with families waiting back home, sometimes spending years stuck in bureaucratic processes hoping for a resolution. Amongst the large number of prisoners, there are some who are even cleared for repatriation by host governments but incompetence on our end keeps them trapped. It is high time that overseas prisoners were provided access to consular officers. The Senate committee has now directed the Foreign Ministry to produce comprehensive data regarding convicted and under-trial overseas Pakistanis within 15 days, a directive which must be followed through for the sake of providing basic human rights.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Bajaur pays the price again
EDITORIAL: Days after Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary had declared on the floor of the National Assembly that no military operation would be launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the authorities have done exactly that, proceeding with one in the province's Bajaur district. The operation, it must be noted, had initially begun last month but was paused amid hopes that talks between the Bajaur Amn Jirga and militant commanders may bear fruit, making armed action in the area avoidable. But with negotiations collapsing, August 11 saw security forces launch what is being termed a 'targeted' operation, striking militant hideouts in several tehsils of the district. Parts of Bajaur will now face a three-month curfew, signalling that the security situation may remain volatile for an extended period. As with operations past, this latest armed action will also likely displace the local population from their homes and upend their lives, with the authorities having already asked residents to move into relief camps. Such experiences have long fuelled opposition to military operations, which have repeatedly brought mass displacements, destruction of infrastructure and property, followed by entirely lacklustre rehabilitation efforts. Nevertheless, with the terror threat emanating from KP's erstwhile tribal districts mounting by the day – militants targeting civilians and security personnel alike, and terrorising the people of Bajaur – doing nothing was never going to solve matters either. The question does arise, however: why were such elements allowed to re-entrench themselves in parts of KP over a prolonged period, facing little meaningful resistance from the law enforcement and intelligence apparatus, while civilian authorities – both federal and provincial – were also caught napping? The hard-won gains of past operations, which had driven these groups out at great cost have been recklessly squandered, and now the hapless people of Bajaur will once again pay the price of this lax attitude to the terror menace. Their opposition to armed action must not be misconstrued as sympathy for militants; it is the natural response of communities that have spent decades as victims in a war that never seems to end. This latest operation must also serve as a sobering reminder that the fight against terror cannot be waged in silos. The threat is national, and so must be the resolve to confront it, with an unambiguous consensus on denying terror groups and extremist ideologies any physical or ideological space within society. History shows that while armed actions against these forces may become unavoidable after a certain point, they cannot be the sole answer. Without a united political front and sustained societal efforts to tackle the roots of radicalisation, Pakistan will remain trapped in a cycle of perpetual instability and violence. In this context, the prime minister's Independence Day call for national unity and invitation to all political parties to join the 'Misaq-i-Istehkam-i-Pakistan' – yet another bid to forge national solidarity in the face of domestic and external threats – may sound promising on paper. But too often such initiatives prove to be heavy on rhetoric, but devoid of follow-through. The government has repeatedly shown that it has little appetite for forging genuine unity, as demonstrated by its clampdown on political dissent, muzzling of the media and hounding of opponents. When political rivals are routinely convicted under anti-terror clauses, it cheapens the gravity of laws meant to protect the public from genuine threats, while also deepening societal fault lines, breeding resentment and diverting resources away from the task of tackling forces that pose existential dangers to the country. This erodes the collective resolve needed to confront terrorism in all its forms. Our rulers must realise that calls for national unity ring hollow when they prioritise their own political survival over the hard work required to build a united front against threats that endanger us all. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Army chief dismisses rumours of leadership change in Pakistan
BRUSSELS: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir addressed circulating rumours about his future role, Pakistan's strategic relations, and national security priorities, emphasizing the need for political and diplomatic balance. Addressing an event in Brussels, Field Marshal Munir dismissed recent speculations about changes in Pakistan's leadership, calling them 'completely false.' He said those spreading such rumours are opposed to both the government and the ruling elite. 'I am the protector of this country by God's will, and I do not seek any other position,' he asserted, reinforcing his commitment to national duty. The army chief noted that political reconciliation could be achieved through sincere apologies. He highlighted the importance of unity and dialogue in strengthening Pakistan's democratic institutions and political stability. Field Marshal Asim Munir stressed Pakistan's foreign policy long experience in maintaining a strategic balance between China and the United States. He said Islamabad has a long history of balancing relations between China and the United States. 'We will not sacrifice one friend for another,' he asserted. He also praised US President Donald Trump's desire for peace, noting Pakistan's initiative in recommending Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize as an example of proactive diplomacy that is now being recognized globally. 'Pakistan took the initiative in recommending the Nobel Prize for [President] Trump, now the rest of the world is following suit,' he remarked. The army chief warned India against destabilising Pakistan's peace through proxies. He also urged the Afghan government to stop policies that push the Taliban into Pakistan. 'It is our duty to avenge the blood of each Pakistani,' he said. COAS Asim Munir received a hero's welcome from overseas Pakistanis in Brussels, where he was hailed as a 'victor of war.' Defying protocol advice, he spent several hours standing to greet and meet expatriates who had traveled from far and wide. 'How can I break the hearts of those who came from afar?' he remarked, refusing to leave until he had shaken hands with every attendee. Field Marshal Asim Munir also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's dedication, noting his 18-hour workdays during the war with India and the determination shown by the cabinet. 'Their efforts reflect true commitment to Pakistan's security and resilience,' he added. Earlier, rumours began to circulate in July that President Asif Ali Zardari would be asked to step down, and that the COAS would take over the top office. However, top government officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, rejected such claims. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put the rumours to rest last month, calling them 'mere speculation.' 'Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing,' Sharif had said. Before that, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had dismissed the rumours suggesting that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir intended to become the president, terming the speculation 'completely baseless and harmful to national stability'. In a statement issued on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the federal minister strongly condemned what he described as a 'negative campaign' targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the army chief. 'These rumours are being deliberately spread by hostile elements and foreign agencies to undermine political stability and institutional harmony in the country,' the minister claimed. Naqvi said there was no truth to reports of President Zardari resigning or Gen Munir eyeing the presidency. 'The Chief of Army Staff has no political objectives. His only focus is on strengthening Pakistan and ensuring its stability,' he said.
