Pakistan budget debate nears end amid lawmaker clashes; Finance Minister to give final speech

Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is scheduled to deliver the winding-up speech on the federal budget today, marking the end of the general debate. The National Assembly session continued late into Wednesday night, with discussions nearly escalating into physical altercations between ruling and opposition lawmakers.

The debate, which has followed its pre-set 40-hour duration, saw sharp exchanges and name-calling. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key opposition party, defended the budget allocations for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). They also voiced demands for increased funding for the agriculture sector, highlighting a key point of contention in the budget discussions.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is expected to attend today's session and address the assembly. Following the winding-up speech, the house will proceed to consider cut motions, a procedural step in finalizing the budget. The tense atmosphere in the assembly underscores the significant political and economic challenges Pakistan faces as it navigates its fiscal planning.