NA session sees rare PM-opposition meeting during heated budget debate

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly witnessed rare political engagement and heated debate over economic policy and parliamentary authority on Friday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an impromptu floor meeting with opposition leaders during a crucial budget session.

The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, underscored the ongoing friction over legislative time allocations and macroeconomic targets as the government seeks to pass its fiscal plan.

In a departure from recent parliamentary acrimony, Prime Minister Sharif approached the opposition benches upon entering the hall.

Sharif shook hands and held a standing consultation with Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai, alongside senior opposition lawmakers Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser.

Opposition leaders used the brief encounter to present a list of formal demands directly to the premier, though the specific details of the document were not immediately disclosed.

During the floor debate, lawmaker Ijaz-ul-Haq urged a strategic pivot in Pakistan’s foreign and economic policy, pointing to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

“There was a time when the US president would not even deign to make a phone call to us,” Haq told the assembly.

He noted that Washington had failed to force regime change in Iran or restore the son of the late Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to power.

Haq argued that Pakistan must capitalise on recent diplomatic understandings between Iran and Western powers to secure its own interests.

“If we do not utilise the Gwadar Port effectively now, this golden opportunity for development will not come again,” Haq said.

He added that sustainable national progress remains impossible until Pakistan stabilises its gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate between 7 per cent and 8 per cent.

Opposition Demands Parliamentary Sovereignty

Taking the podium, Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai questioned the establishment’s view of civilian politicians while emphasising his coalition’s commitment to state stability.

“The development of this country is our own development. Why are we treated as if we lack intellect?” Achakzai asked.

He issued a direct appeal to the prime minister: “The Leader of the House must restore the rightful powers of this parliament.”

Achakzai also formally requested Speaker Sadiq to lift an ongoing ban on opposition lawmaker Iqbal Afridi.

Govt Defends Budget and IMF Track Record

Defending the government’s fiscal strategy, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani congratulated the civilian and military leadership on recent diplomatic and economic achievements.

Kayani asserted that the budget fulfills the premier’s economic promises, characterizing it as a balanced plan designed to support farmers, traders, and industrialists alike.

“The government successfully met its economic targets for the fiscal year 2025,” Kayani said, noting that stabilized macroeconomic indicators paved the way for the successful completion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review.

Bilal Kayani said that international financial institutions had acknowledged improvements in Pakistan’s economy, adding that tax relief had been provided to salaried individuals alongside an increase in pay.

Kayani said the government’s fiscal measures were aimed at easing pressure on the middle-income group while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

He added that the new budget includes targeted tax relief for the salaried class.

Dispute Over Speaking Time

The session ended with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq rejecting opposition claims that they had been denied adequate speaking time during the budget debate.

Sadiq said the opposition, comprising 66 lawmakers, had been allotted nine hours for speeches but had actually spoken for 14 hours and four minutes, exceeding its allocated time by five hours, three minutes and 28 seconds.

He said that government lawmakers had failed to utilise their allotted time, leaving around two hours and 30 minutes of speaking time unused.

“The opposition’s grievance that they are not permitted to speak in this house is entirely groundless,” Sadiq said, adding that members had repeatedly been invited to address the assembly.

Separately, the lower house unanimously passed a resolution expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s “constructive role” in promoting global peace.

The resolution, moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir, commending their roles in advancing the country’s diplomatic and security objectives.

It also expressed appreciation for “friendly countries” including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United States, Qatar and Turkiye, among others, and thanked them for their support.

Lawmakers said Pakistan was grateful for its contribution to global peace and stability, according to the text of the resolution.

The National Assembly session was suspended for Friday prayers.