Bilawal Bhutto Criticizes PM Shehbaz Sharif Over Budget Decisions
Karachi [Pakistan], June 22: Amid the row over the federal budget in Pakistan, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized its coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for not consulting them on the budget, according to Geo News.
Bilawal spoke at an event on his mother, Benazir Bhutto’s 71st birthday in Karachi’s Lyari Town. He stated that the current government is trying hard to solve the economic crisis but urged the ruling PML-N to involve its allies in finalizing the federal budget. He mentioned that the budget for 2024-25 could have been better with PPP’s input.
Political tensions have risen between the coalition partners as PPP accused PML-N of making decisions without consulting key allies. The PPP supports the Shehbaz Sharif-led government but is not part of the federal cabinet.
On Thursday, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto met to discuss the issue. Bilawal expressed his party’s concerns about being ignored in the budget-making process and other federal matters. PM Shehbaz Sharif assured him that these concerns would be addressed. Bilawal assured that PPP would help pass the federal budget in parliament.
This development comes as Pakistan’s economy struggles with rising debt. The government has less than two weeks to get parliamentary approval for the budget, which must include guidelines from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistan is seeking a new bailout package from the IMF, while trade bodies have rejected the taxation measures announced in the budget.
