ISLAMABAD: Strong criticism continues to pour in from opposition benches over the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, with Awami National Party (ANP) leader and Senator Aimal Wali Khan branding it as a “cruel joke” on the poor and a budget designed to protect the interests of the elite.
Speaking during the Senate debate on the budget, Aimal Wali Khan said the current fiscal plan reflects not just economic mismanagement but a deep-rooted insensitivity towards the plight of millions of struggling Pakistanis. He accused the government of snatching the right to live from 60% of the country’s population, adding that instead of addressing poverty and inflation, the budget seems to mock the working class and lower-income groups.
Highlighting the glaring contrast between rising public hardships and elite privileges, he sharply criticized the government’s decision to increase the salaries of top state officials, including the Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly. “When ordinary citizens can’t afford basic necessities, how can you justify pay raises for the ruling class?” he questioned. He said the budget does nothing to ease the suffering of the people and has, in fact, deepened the gap between the ruling elite and the masses.
Aimal Wali also touched upon political issues, stating that if the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is genuinely being treated as a political prisoner, then he should be released immediately. He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and ensuring justice, regardless of political affiliations.
Senator Waqar Mehdi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also joined the chorus of disapproval during the ongoing Senate debate. He stated that the budget fails to inspire hope and instead delivers a message of despair to an already burdened population. “This budget is disconnected from the ground realities and reflects a lack of empathy and accountability in governance,” Mehdi said.
He pointed out that there appears to be no effective system of checks and balances in the government’s fiscal decision-making process. As an example of premature and unfair taxation, he revealed that many shopkeepers have already begun implementing the proposed 18% tax on solar panels, even before the official enforcement, resulting in further economic pressure on consumers who are already reeling under inflation.
Mehdi further criticised the government for failing to consult key stakeholders or consider the socio-economic conditions of the majority population. He suggested that the Federal Finance Minister should spend a day among the public to witness firsthand how the average Pakistani is coping with the cost of living.
The budget debate in the Senate underscores deep divisions between the government and opposition parties. While the ruling coalition defends the budget as necessary for economic stabilisation and growth, opposition lawmakers argue that it offers little in terms of relief for the poor, fails to control inflation, and continues to favour the privileged classes.
Public reaction to the budget has also been largely critical, with many citizens expressing frustration over rising prices, new taxes, and what they see as a lack of accountability and fairness in governance. For millions of Pakistanis already struggling to make ends meet, the 2024-25 budget appears to have brought more uncertainty than assurance.
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