News Desk |
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Monday, unanimously agreed upon not allowing the budget proposed by the PTI-led government to be passed in the parliament. Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N President, stated, “It is an anti-people budget, and we will put our weight behind to make sure this budget does not get parliament’s approval.”
This decision was agreed upon by PML-N President and senior party leaders during a joint-parliamentary meeting, presided over by President Shahbaz Sharif and Raja Zafarul Haq. In attendance, were senior leaders of the party, including Khawaja Asif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Senator Mushahid Hussain amongst others.
A recently held meeting between Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz was also part of the same agenda, sources added.
The leaders formulated a strategy so that the two houses can ensure the PTI-proposed budget does not get approved. The PML-N leaders also reflected upon the last parliamentary session and devised a plan for the upcoming sessions.
Speaking at the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, explained that the budget proposed by the PTI-led government is “anti-people” and not in the favor of the common man.
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He said, “PML-N will put its weight behind its strategy of ensuring the budget does not get a parliamentary approval”. Lamenting the lack of discussion over the proposed budget, Sharif said, “For the first time in history, the ruling party has not allowed the house to engage in a debate over the proposed budget.”
The PML-N President also stated that during his absence from the country, there will be attempts to spread rumors regarding his absence.
The PMN-L leaders also reflected upon the last parliamentary session and devised a plan for the upcoming sessions.
He added that the morale of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat jail, remains high despite imprisonment but he is worried about the deteriorating situation of the country. The PML-N leadership prayed for the health and recovery of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
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Opposition Unites against Budget
It is pertinent to note that a leading opposition stakeholder, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has already established a committee to block parliamentary approval of the PTI-proposed budget in the National Assembly.
Media reports reveal that the PPP leadership has reached out to all opposition parties, including the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), in a bid to convince them against approving the PTI proposed a budget.
Media speculations reveal that the recent meeting between PPP Chairman and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif, at the Sharif residence Jati Umra, cemented this agenda. The two leaders vowed to “strongly oppose” the federal budget’s approval and implementation.