ISLAMABAD: As the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 nears its approval stage, the political temperature in the country continues to rise. In a significant political move, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formally reached out to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to propose a joint boycott of the budget voting session in the National Assembly.
According to reliable sources, PTI senior leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser held an important meeting with PPP’s senior leader and former Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at Parliament House. During the meeting, Asad Qaiser referred to PPP’s recent critical statements regarding the budget and said that if PPP is serious about boycotting the budget, PTI is ready to stand alongside them in this effort.
In response, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf acknowledged PTI’s proposal but stated that he would consult the party leadership before giving a final answer. He also mentioned that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be present in Parliament today, and the final stance would be decided after discussions with him.
It’s worth noting that in recent days, the PPP has expressed strong reservations over various aspects of the federal budget. Meanwhile, PTI has already been deliberating on a strategy to boycott the budget session altogether, as part of its ongoing protest against the government’s legitimacy and performance.
Political analysts believe that if opposition parties unite and coordinate their actions during the budget voting, the government could face unprecedented pressure in securing parliamentary approval for the budget. Such a united front could also signal a broader shift in opposition dynamics, potentially leading to stronger resistance inside and outside Parliament in the months ahead.
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