Aurangzeb lauds performance of govt despite challenges in budget speech

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is presenting the federal budget for 2024-25 as the government aims to secure a long-term bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Aurangzeb, serving as finance minister for the first time, unveiled the budget in the National Assembly amid a noisy protest by opposition lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council. The protesters stood on their desks, raised anti-government slogans, and tore copies of the financial bill for 2025.

"Despite the financial and political challenges over the past year, the government’s progress on the economic front has been impressive," Aurangzeb said in his opening remarks.

"We have repeatedly heard calls for all political parties to unite for the country’s sake. Today, Pakistan has another opportunity to embark on the path of economic progress, and we cannot afford to waste this chance," he urged, asking all MNAs to support the government's efforts to steer the country towards development.

The session is being chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also in attendance.