PTI’s Asad Qaiser and JUI-F’s Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman voiced strong opposition to the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, as reported by ARY News. The leaders expressed concerns about the deteriorating peace situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and pledged to collaborate in the National Assembly to oppose the budget.
Both leaders rejected the budget, labeling it as IMF-driven and against the interests of the people. They also stressed the need for maintaining friendly ties with Afghanistan and establishing economic corridors at key border crossings.
During a gathering, a political committee was formed to address disagreements between the parties and devise future political strategies. The meeting, attended by PTI’s Akhtar Hussain Yousafzai, aimed at enhancing political cooperation.
The federal budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, proposed a total spending of over PKR 18 trillion. This led to protests from opposition legislators backed by PTI’s Sunni Ittehad Council. The budget suggested removing sales tax exemptions and incentives for various commodities like mobile phones, copper, coal, paper, and plastic scrap. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb recommended an 18 percent standard sales tax rate on many commodities during his address in the National Assembly.