Budget 2026-27 unveiled amid loud protests by opposition in National Assembly
The National Assembly session began around two hours later than its scheduled time. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the proceedings and invited Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to present the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Finance minister highlights Pakistan’s global standing
Starting his speech, Aurangzeb thanked coalition partners, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, for their support. He said the budget was being presented at a time when Pakistan was receiving international attention and strengthening its diplomatic relationships.
The finance minister linked this growing recognition to Pakistan’s response to India in May 2025. He said the country’s military preparedness and professional capabilities had earned global praise and increased interest from foreign countries.
Defence sector becoming an economic asset
Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s defence industry was not only protecting national sovereignty but was also contributing to economic growth. He claimed the sector had started generating foreign exchange earnings and was attracting interest from countries seeking defence cooperation.
He also referred to a defence agreement signed with Saudi Arabia last year, saying it had opened a new chapter in relations between Islamabad and Riyadh. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for strengthening those ties.
Focus on regional peace and China ties
The finance minister said Pakistan was working to promote peace in the region, particularly through diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran. He added that restoring the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz remained an important objective.
Aurangzeb also highlighted Pakistan’s close relationship with China, calling Beijing the country’s most important trading partner. He said Pakistan enjoyed China’s full support on regional and economic matters.
Bilawal attends despite earlier uncertainty
پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری سے ملاقات کے لئے نائب وزیراعظم اسحاق ڈار کی پارلیمنٹ میں ان کے دفتر آمد، دونوں کے درمیان ملاقات@BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/WadhAWJPH9
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended the budget session despite earlier reports suggesting he might stay away. The party clarified that while some members would participate in the proceedings, it would continue to play its role in the budget process in the national interest.
Before the budget speech, senior PPP leaders held meetings in Parliament to discuss the budget, elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and developments in Azad Kashmir.
PPP protests over Sindh water shortage
PPP lawmakers staged a protest inside the assembly, demanding that Sindh receive its fair share of water. Party leaders carried placards highlighting what they described as a 48 per cent water shortage in the province.
For a brief period, PPP members gathered near the speaker’s dais and chanted slogans demanding water rights. They later returned to their seats before the finance minister continued his speech.
PPP warns against political marginalisation
PPP leader Shazia Marri said the party would only have limited participation in the budget session due to what she called the ruling PML-N’s unreasonable attitude. She stressed that the PPP had consistently supported the federal government in matters of national importance.
Marri warned that the party’s political mandate should be respected wherever it had public support. She said PPP would continue to seek its rightful political space while mai
ntaining cooperation on national issues.
Cabinet approves budget before presentation
Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet formally approved the Budget 2026-27 during a meeting held at Parliament House. The approval cleared the way for its presentation in the National Assembly.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met a delegation from coalition partner MQM-P. During the meeting, both sides discussed budget-related matters and broader economic priorities.
MQM-P support highlighted
The prime minister described MQM-P as an important coalition partner and appreciated its role in supporting economic stability and public welfare initiatives. He said cooperation among allied parties remained essential for the country’s development agenda.
The budget was presented in a politically charged atmosphere, showing that economic decisions remain closely linked with coalition politics. The government secured support from allies, but protests over water distribution and political representation suggest that tensions within the ruling alliance may continue in the months ahead.
