Islamabad: Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub has said that the recently presented federal budget for the financial year 2024-25 does not make sense and violates constitutional norms.
Speaking to the media, Ayub, who previously presented four budgets in the National Assembly, raised concerns about the legality and content of the budget.
“Neither the CD was issued nor the budget was written in English for the first time in this parliament,” he said, pointing to procedural issues. He said the Finance Minister’s statement lacked transparency and failed to show accurate records.
Opposition leaders immediately rejected the budget and called it a “fake budget by a fake government”, saying it did not reflect the country’s true growth rate. He highlighted the plight of Punjab farmers and said that their wheat crops were burnt when the government did not respond.
Ayub also criticized the government’s demands for industrial development. “They say industrial production has increased, but where is that production?” asked. He also stated that the price of electricity has now increased by $3.50 per unit, increasing the financial burden of the people.
Opposition leaders accused the government of a lack of consultation and transparency. He raised concerns about Mohsin Naqvi, saying Naqvi failed to file tax returns and criticized the government’s trade with Iran, suggesting that rice was being smuggled out of the country.
He alleged that the Punjab Police surrounded the magistrate in Mianwali and his orders to release the hands of the prisoners were ignored. “Anarchy is spreading in the country,” Ayub warned, blaming the government for the rise in instability.
He concluded by accusing the PPP of treason and questioning the current regime’s general management and administration decisions.
