President urges PM to focus federal budget on public welfare

June 17, 2025

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SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - NOVEMBER 8: (SPEECH) Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif speaks on yet seeing the promises and goals at the UNFCCC COP27 climate conference on November 8, 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The conference is bringing together political leaders and representatives from 190 countries to discuss climate-related topics including climate change adaptation, climate finance, decarbonisation, agriculture and biodiversity. The conference is running from November 6-18. (Footage by Ming Yeung/Getty Images)

President Asif Ali Zardari stresses that federal budget must prioritize welfare of common people

On Tuesday, President Asif Ali Zardari underscored the importance of prioritizing the welfare and upliftment of the common man, especially workers and low-income groups, in the upcoming federal budget.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari highlighted these concerns. The meeting also covered the current political and economic landscape of the country, according to a statement from the President’s Secretariat.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla attended the discussion.

Prime Minister Sharif updated the president on his recent official visit to the UAE and presented key elements of the federal budget.

The president called on the federal government to adopt effective budgetary measures that ease the financial strain on salaried workers, pensioners, laborers, and other vulnerable segments facing economic hardships.

He emphasized the need for initiatives focusing on job creation and social safety nets to support the poor and marginalized.

Last week, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiled the budget for the next fiscal year, outlining a total outlay of Rs17.57 trillion, with a GDP growth target of 4.2% and relief packages for the salaried class. The budget also reflected a 7% reduction in overall federal spending.

The deficit is projected at 3.9% of GDP, down from the 5.9% targeted for 2024-25, with inflation expected at 7.5% and growth at 4.2%.

However, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the main coalition partner in the government, voiced concerns over some financial policies in the budget crafted by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

PPP leader and former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf recently expressed reservations, noting that while the PPP is part of the coalition, it has certain objections and suggestions.

He mentioned that the PPP’s parliamentary committee convened to present recommendations and highlighted issues raised by members of the National Assembly from Sindh and Punjab.

“We will discuss these concerns with the government,” Ashraf stated.

In addition, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah criticized the federal government sharply, accusing it of continuously neglecting the province’s development needs. He warned that Sindh’s funding and political support should not be taken for granted.

Shah condemned the dismantling of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), calling it an unfair decision that harms local infrastructure planning.

“We are not a colony,” Shah said during a speech in Karachi last week, urging Islamabad to respect Sindh’s rightful place in the federation.

He further warned, “If Sindh’s projects are ignored, then the federal government can pass the budget without our support.”

Shah made it clear that Sindh would not accept being treated as an afterthought and declared, “If treated like stepchildren, we know how to stand up for our rights.”

Meanwhile, the major opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rejected the budget outright and announced its intention to abstain from voting on it. PTI also offered support to PPP if they choose to boycott the budget voting alongside them.