Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated on Tuesday that the decision regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) demand to hold a meeting with imprisoned party founder Imran Khan before releasing funds to the federal government rests solely with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking on a current affairs programme, the finance minister noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had no fundamental objection to reducing development expenditures to free up funds for the Centre. He recalled a productive meeting with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam, emphasizing that all provinces, including KP, have provided substantial support to the federal government throughout the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
He further clarified that the IMF programme is a collective effort involving both federal and provincial governments, and reiterated that only the prime minister has the authority to respond to PTI’s demand.
These comments came shortly after PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja announced that the KP government would approve only a three-month budget if a meeting with Imran Khan does not occur before June 30. Speaking on Adiala Road, Raja stated that the final budget would be withheld until consultations with the former prime minister take place.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 following convictions he and his party claim are politically motivated. Since his removal from office in a no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan has faced multiple legal cases, including allegations related to state gifts and an unlawful marriage. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals still pending, and Khan denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Raja mentioned that he had discussed the issue with CM Afridi and cited Article 125 of the Constitution, which permits the presentation of a budget covering a three-month period. He confirmed that, for the time being, a three-month budget paper would be approved.
