PTI Stages Uproar in Budget Session, Tears Budget Copies Amid Protests

Islamabad: The federal government presented the budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 in the National Assembly on Monday, but the session was marred by loud protests and chaos from members of the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). As Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb began his budget speech, PTI lawmakers banged desks, shouted slogans, and tore apart copies of the budget documents in protest.

The session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, from the moment the finance minister began speaking, PTI members created a ruckus, disrupting the proceedings and criticizing the government’s policies.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly criticized the government, saying the Economic Survey itself acknowledged that none of the key economic targets were met. “The government has failed in privatization efforts, failed to provide relief to the public, and failed to eradicate poverty,” he said.

He also slammed the government’s spending priorities, stating, “Millions were spent under the slogan ‘bread for all’, yet a woman in Bahawalpur died of hunger. Some matters should be above politics.”

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Despite the uproar and repeated interruptions, Finance Minister Aurangzeb continued with the budget presentation, while the Speaker repeatedly called for order in the House.