BUDGET 2026-27:Budget presentation overshadowed by PPP, PTI protests

Pakistan's National Assembly presented the Rs18.8 trillion federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 amidst considerable disruption. The budget, the third presented by the incumbent PML-N government, faced protests from opposition parties, primarily the PTI, and even from an allied party, the PPP.

The budget presentation, initially scheduled for 3 PM, was delayed by two hours due to dissatisfaction expressed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari over certain budget provisions. As Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb began his speech, PTI lawmakers entered the hall holding placards and chanting slogans against the government. Some PTI members tore up budget documents and threw them towards Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, prompting PML-N lawmakers to form a human shield.

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Sindh is facing 48 percent water shortage.

Adding to the disruption, government employees demonstrated outside Parliament House, leading to heightened security measures. The PPP staged a "mild protest" concerning what they termed an "unjust reduction" in Sindh's water share, with some lawmakers briefly approaching the speaker's dais. PPP sources indicated Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was unhappy with the outcome of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, expressing reluctance to participate in the session.

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Mera dil nahi chahta iss house main baithnay ka.