ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday strongly rejected the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, describing it as a “pro-rich and anti-poor” financial plan that places additional burdens on ordinary citizens while providing relief to influential and privileged segments of society.
The opposition party criticized the government’s economic policies, arguing that the budget fails to address the growing financial hardships faced by millions of Pakistanis struggling with inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power.
PTI Terms Budget Disappointing
Speaking to reporters, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the budget offered no meaningful relief to the public and reflected the government’s failure to address the country’s economic challenges.
He described the fiscal plan as disappointing and stated that the party had not expected any significant improvement from the current administration.
According to Gohar, the government’s economic management over the past four years has failed to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
He alleged that instead of reducing unnecessary expenditures and implementing structural reforms, the government has relied heavily on domestic and foreign borrowing to manage its finances.
“The public expected relief, but this budget does not provide any substantial support to ordinary citizens,” he said.
Concerns Over Rising Debt and Spending
The PTI chairman argued that government spending has continued to increase despite repeated commitments to fiscal discipline.
He maintained that responsible governance requires reducing wasteful expenditures and improving efficiency rather than depending on loans to bridge budget deficits.
According to him, growing debt levels continue to place pressure on the national economy while ordinary citizens bear the consequences through higher taxes and rising costs of living.
Gohar stressed that a successful budget should focus on reducing economic hardships, creating employment opportunities, and improving living standards across the country.
PTI Criticizes Government’s Political Approach
Commenting on the political situation, Gohar said efforts to engage with the party’s leadership remain ongoing, but meaningful progress has not yet been achieved.
He noted that while the government continues to invite the opposition for discussions, PTI seeks serious political engagement rather than symbolic meetings.
“The public is facing immense economic pressure, and political issues cannot be resolved through photo opportunities,” he said.
The PTI chairman emphasized that genuine dialogue should focus on resolving national challenges and addressing public concerns.
Sheikh Waqas Akram Calls Budget ‘Elite-Friendly’
Separately, PTI Central Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram strongly criticized the budget, calling it another example of what he described as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s traditional economic approach.
According to Akram, the budget primarily benefits wealthy groups while offering limited support to lower and middle-income citizens.
He alleged that the financial plan reflects an “elite-friendly” mindset, where affluent sectors receive concessions while ordinary taxpayers continue to face increasing financial burdens.
“The poor are given crumbs while the rich continue to receive benefits,” he remarked.
Criticism of Tax Policies
Akram further argued that the budget relies heavily on taxation rather than meaningful economic reforms.
He accused the government of repeatedly imposing new taxes across various sectors while failing to broaden the tax base effectively.
According to him, honest taxpayers continue to face pressure while large-scale tax evasion remains inadequately addressed.
The PTI leader claimed that the government’s fiscal strategy places disproportionate burdens on law-abiding businesses and salaried individuals.
Objections to Faceless Audit System
One of PTI’s major concerns relates to the government’s proposed faceless audit mechanism.
Akram criticized the initiative, alleging that it could be misused to target legitimate businesses and taxpayers.
He argued that instead of simplifying compliance and improving transparency, such measures risk creating uncertainty for the business community.
According to PTI, genuine economic reforms should focus on encouraging investment, improving ease of doing business, and promoting economic growth rather than increasing regulatory pressures.
Debate Over Economic Direction
The government’s budget has triggered extensive debate among political parties, economists, and business groups regarding Pakistan’s economic direction.
Supporters of the budget argue that fiscal discipline, revenue generation, and economic stabilization remain necessary to sustain progress achieved under ongoing reform efforts.
However, opposition parties maintain that the proposed measures fail to provide sufficient relief to citizens facing inflationary pressures and rising living costs.
As parliamentary discussions on the budget continue, political and economic stakeholders are expected to debate its impact on growth, investment, employment, and public welfare.
The PTI has reiterated its opposition to the budget and pledged to raise concerns during parliamentary proceedings, arguing that the financial plan does not adequately address the needs of ordinary Pakistanis.
