ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has reiterated its warning to the federal government against interfering in the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan, cautioning that any attempt to create obstacles could disrupt political cooperation.
Speaking during Tuesday’s National Assembly session, PPP lawmaker Abdul Qadir Patel urged the government to avoid politicising the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), stressing that the welfare initiative should remain above partisan interests.
Responding to criticism over the party’s stance on the federal budget, Patel said the PPP would continue to make decisions based on national interests rather than political considerations. He also argued that the tax burden was increasingly falling on ordinary citizens who lacked the knowledge or means to navigate the tax system.
The PPP leader praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating peace between the United States and Iran, commending both the civilian and military leadership for their role in the initiative.
During the debate, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal raised concerns over Karachi’s longstanding water crisis, saying that even the completion of the K4 water project would not fully address the city’s growing needs. He complained that Karachi was not receiving adequate funding and advocated constitutional reforms to transfer greater powers to local governments.
Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf defended the federal budget, describing it as balanced and aimed at sustaining economic recovery while providing relief measures for the public.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi highlighted Pakistan’s investment potential, calling it the safest destination for investors in the region and applauding the country’s leadership for enhancing its international standing through peace diplomacy.
Opposition members, however, criticised the budget for lacking meaningful initiatives for young people, agriculture and industry. MNA Sana Ullah Khan Mastikhel said the financial plan ignored key sectors, while Sehar Kamran argued that the seven percent salary increase for government employees was inadequate and should be revised upward.
Nauman Shaikh emphasised the need for policies that generate employment and steer the economy toward sustainable growth.
Earlier, the National Assembly welcomed a delegation from Bangladesh’s higher education sector, with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq greeting the visitors as lawmakers thumped their desks in appreciation.
The session also witnessed an unexpected moment when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi walked to the opposition benches, where he greeted PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser and held a brief conversation with them.
