Saira Afzal Tarar calls Budget 2026-27 balanced

ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Saira Afzal Tarar on Monday defended the federal budget 2026-27, describing it as a balanced and widely appreciated financial plan prepared under difficult global and domestic conditions.

Participating in the National Assembly budget debate, she said the country was witnessing a significant diplomatic achievement that had strengthened Pakistan’s international standing.

She added that Pakistan’s role in global affairs was now being acknowledged internationally.

She said federal budgets usually come with limited fiscal space, but maintained that the current budget had received a positive response from multiple sectors.

She welcomed cuts and withdrawals in certain taxes, especially measures benefiting traders and the business community, saying industrial stakeholders had broadly supported the government’s economic direction.

However, she stressed that farmers needed greater attention and relief.

She urged the government to reduce agricultural input costs, lower electricity tariffs, improve access to credit, and ensure fair market mechanisms.

Calling Pakistan an agricultural country, she said farmers remain central to food security and economic stability.

She warned that population growth remains one of the country’s most serious long-term challenges, along with inflation and unemployment.

She called for stronger awareness and policy focus on maternal and child health, and emphasized reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, describing population management as a key public health priority.

She appreciated the removal of taxes on contraceptives and praised health initiatives in Punjab under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, particularly community-based health programmes aimed at expanding healthcare access.

She also called for better federal coordination in population-related policies to ensure uniform implementation across the country.

Raising concerns over security challenges, she warned about what she described as fifth-generation and hybrid warfare against Pakistan, alleging that misinformation campaigns on digital platforms were being used to target institutions and mislead youth.

She called for national unity and urged political forces to prioritize national interests over political divisions.

On water security, she termed water scarcity a critical global and national issue.

She criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, saying Pakistan would continue to pursue diplomatic and legal channels to protect its water rights.

She also expressed concern over reported upstream developments affecting water flow in the Chenab River, warning that any reduction or diversion could severely impact agriculture and livelihoods in Pakistan.

She stressed the need for strengthening water storage capacity through reservoirs and improved infrastructure, urging provinces and political stakeholders to work together on national water security.

She said sustainable water management is essential for long-term development, stability, and national unity.

Saira Afzal Tarar reaffirmed her commitment to Pakistan’s progress, unity, and prosperity, expressing confidence that collective efforts would help the country overcome its challenges and secure a better future for future generations.