PML-N, PPP 'budget fissures' deepen as Bilawal declines to speak in NA
Pakistan
IMF's allocations for Sindh, and rehabilitation of flood victims are thorny issues between them
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has reportedly refused to share his views on the budget for fiscal year 2023-24 in the National Assembly as his party has some reservations regarding the allocations.
Federal Minister for Commerce and PPP’s parliamentary leader in National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar confirmed it to a media outlet, stating Bilawal Bhutto would not speak on the budget.
The debate on budget was set to end on Saturday (June 17) but it was extended for two days or until Tuesday (today) in wait for the PPP chief’s speech.
The move, which is being described as a setback to the ruling coalition that had joined hands to send the PTI government packing, shows widening differences between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP.
In the ongoing NA sessions, several PPP lawmakers have raised concerns regarding several aspects of the federal budget, which was unveiled on June 9 with a total outlay of Rs14.5 trillion.
Furthermore, Bilawal Bhutto also skipped two rounds of negotiations with the PML-N about budget proposals and especially IMF's allocations for Sindh, which is one of the major issues between them.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the first round of talks on Monday that aimed at resolving the issue pertaining to allocations for the flood victims of Sindh and other fiscal issues. The finance bill and supplementary budget are expected to be tabled for approval on June 24 (Saturday).
A day earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the issue related to rehabilitation of flood victims in Sindh and other parts of the country would be resolved amicably, adding that around $11 billion would be spent in Sindh for this purpose.
He also rejected the impression of differences between PML-N and PPP. The minister said efforts would be made to finalise a 'Charter of Economy' after the approval of the budget.
