ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly experienced an uncommon political interaction and intense discussions on economic policy and parliamentary authority on Friday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in an unplanned meeting with opposition leaders amid a critical budget session.
Presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the session highlighted ongoing tensions regarding legislative time distribution and macroeconomic objectives as the government pushed to approve its fiscal plan.
In a notable shift from the usual parliamentary discord, Prime Minister Sharif approached the opposition benches immediately upon entering the chamber. He exchanged handshakes and held a standing dialogue with Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with senior opposition figures Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser.
During this brief encounter, opposition leaders presented a formal list of demands directly to the prime minister, though the specifics of the document were not disclosed at the time.
Amid the floor debate, lawmaker Ijaz-ul-Haq called for a strategic realignment of Pakistan’s foreign and economic policies, referencing evolving geopolitical circumstances. He remarked, “There was a time when the US president would not even deign to make a phone call to us.” Haq pointed out that Washington had been unsuccessful in forcing regime change in Iran or reinstating the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s son.
He urged Pakistan to leverage recent diplomatic breakthroughs between Iran and Western nations to advance its own interests. “If we do not utilise the Gwadar Port effectively now, this golden opportunity for development will not come again,” Haq emphasized. He further stated that sustainable national progress hinges on stabilizing Pakistan’s GDP growth rate between 7 and 8 percent.
Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai took the floor to challenge the establishment’s perception of civilian politicians, stressing his coalition’s dedication to national stability. “The development of this country is our own development. Why are we treated as if we lack intellect?” Achakzai questioned. He directly appealed to the prime minister to restore the parliament’s rightful powers.
Additionally, Achakzai formally requested Speaker Sadiq to lift the ongoing ban on opposition lawmaker Iqbal Afridi.
On the government’s side, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani defended the fiscal strategy, praising both civilian and military leadership for recent diplomatic and economic successes. Kayani described the budget as a balanced plan fulfilling the premier’s economic promises, aimed at supporting farmers, traders, and industrialists alike.
He noted that the government had met its economic targets for the fiscal year 2025, with stabilized macroeconomic indicators facilitating the successful completion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review. The new budget also includes targeted tax relief measures for the salaried class.
The session concluded with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq dismissing opposition claims of insufficient speaking time during the budget debate. He stated that the opposition, consisting of 66 lawmakers, was allocated nine hours but actually spoke for 14 hours and four minutes, exceeding their time by over five hours.
Sadiq added that government members had not fully utilized their allotted time, leaving approximately two and a half hours unused. “The opposition’s grievance that they are not permitted to speak in this house is entirely groundless,” he asserted, noting that members had been repeatedly invited to address the assembly.
