The National Assembly (NA) swiftly approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year after the government incorporated fiscal tightening measures mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These measures were implemented in a final attempt to secure critical funding.
Despite a lack of quorum, with only 70 lawmakers present on the treasury benches and two on the opposition benches, the budget was passed. Notably, prominent figures such as Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, his father, Asif Ali Zardari, and the opposition leader, Raja Riaz, were absent.
At the beginning of the session, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar defended the government’s decision to introduce reforms in the pensions scheme. He explained that individuals with contract jobs would have to choose between two pensions, highlighting that this correction should have been made earlier. Dar emphasized the principle of having the right to a single pension.
Regarding widowed spouses, Dar stated that after the death of a pensioner, the surviving spouse would receive a stipend. However, once the spouse also passed away, the dependents would receive the ten-year pension before it ceased.
Dar acknowledged that the pension bill had reached 800 billion in this budget, a significant increase compared to previous years. He stressed that these reforms were necessary given the current circumstances.
During the session, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, a lawmaker from Jamaat-i-Islami, proposed a resolution to refer the budget to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Chitrali argued that the budget was based on an “interest-based system,” which went against the directives of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).
Ayaz Sadiq opposed the motion, citing the need for parliamentarians to attend Hajj, and called for concluding the budget proceedings. Afterward, the resolution was put to a vote and ultimately rejected.
Subsequently, the finance minister presented the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, seeking approval for each clause. Chitrali’s proposed amendment was also accepted, allowing the chairpersons of standing committees to use cars with engines up to 1,200cc.
