Senators call for fiscal reforms, equitable resource sharing & national unity amid economic strains

ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):Lawmakers in the Upper House on Tuesday called for providing more relief to the common man and stressed the need to address rising poverty, national debt, agricultural decline, and institutional inefficiencies while reaffirming their support for national defense and unity in the face of regional challenges.

While participating in the general discussion on Budget 2025-26, Senator Kamran Murtaza said that during every budget exercise, two types of approaches emerge — one focused on ideological vision and the other aimed at immediate public relief. He stressed that the major challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remains the law and order situation, which demands concrete and sustained measures.

“We stand united with our armed forces and remain loyal to the country,” he stated. Highlighting socio-economic concerns, Senator Murtaza said nearly half of the population is facing extreme poverty and lacks access to essential items such as food and medicine. He emphasized the need to tackle overpopulation wisely and called for empowering the youth through technical education and skills development.

Senator Mohsin Aziz said the country was created through the sacrifices of forefathers and is blessed with abundant natural resources. Drawing a comparison between the previous PTI-led government and the current administration, he argued that financial challenges did not originate solely from the PTI tenure but have been long in the making.

He criticized the budget, citing a decline in crop yields and the deteriorating state of agriculture. “Farmers are struggling, and taxes are being levied on those already burdened,” he remarked. He urged the government to review its policies and provide greater relief to the underprivileged.

Senator Saadia Abbasi also expressed reservations about the federal budget, stating that the country faces a multitude of challenges including trade imbalances, climate change impacts on agriculture, inadequate infrastructure reforms, mismanaged debt, and stagnating industrial growth.

She emphasized the need to redirect funds towards areas that directly benefit the poor. Expressing concern over enhanced powers granted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), particularly the authority to arrest, she said the move could lead to increased corruption and create a hostile environment for the business community.

Commenting on renewable energy, she acknowledged the government’s policy focus on green energy as commendable but criticized the recent tax hike on solar energy as counterproductive. She called for industrial incentives, employment generation, and agriculture-focused development to support the common citizen.

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Iran, describing it as a war crime targeting civilians and children. He urged the international community to take notice and work towards establishing peace in the region.

He lauded PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for effectively presenting Pakistan’s stance on the global stage in the aftermath of Indian aggression. “The international community is recognizing Pakistan’s narrative, and credit goes to the chairman and his team for successful diplomatic efforts,” he said.

Waqar Mehdi also criticized the modest increase in pensions and salaries in light of the prevailing economic difficulties. He shared that he had recommended a 50 percent salary raise and a 20 percent increase in pensions during Finance Committee discussions.

He further urged the government to allocate sufficient funds for the timely completion of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, noting that the current allocation is inadequate to meet project deadlines.

Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro emphasized the need for equitable distribution of funds among all provinces, said that Pakistan comprises five governments — four provincial and one federal — and each should be allocated resources fairly.

He underscored that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is fully aligned with constitutional provisions. He said the state is obligated to ensure social security for its citizens, including access to food, clothing, and shelter, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Senator Zamir advocated for transferring responsibility for pensions and related expenditures to the provincial governments. He argued that provinces demonstrating better performance should be incentivized, and federal government expenditures should be curtailed accordingly.

He further called for the devolution of federal ministries associated with provincial matters, suggesting that these functions be handed over to the provinces in the spirit of fiscal efficiency and administrative decentralization.

Commenting on the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project, the senator expressed concern over the lack of financial commitment, stating that while it is a Rs 400 billion project, fewer funds have been allocated for its execution in the current budget.

Senator Aimal Wali Khan expressed concern over the country’s growing debt burden, stating that while discussing economic matters, the plight of the common man must remain central to national discourse.

He said the rising debt figures were alarming and more than just economic indicators — they reflect the increasing hardships faced by the poor, many of whom are being pushed below the poverty line.

He pointed out that 60 to 70 percent of the population still lacks access to clean drinking water, while a significant number of children remain out of school. “These are not just economic challenges; they are human tragedies,” he remarked.

Senator Aimal underscored the importance of national defense, particularly in light of recent Indian aggression. “The state has no higher priority than defense,” he said, adding that ANP leaders and party workers have made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He called for strict austerity measures, urging the government to eliminate all non-essential expenditures in light of the current economic challenges.

The senator also stressed the need to grant full constitutional rights to all provinces, highlighting that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and the equitable distribution and utilization of these assets is vital for national development.

During the budget debate, Senator Aon Abbas paid tribute to Iran and its people, urging Pakistan to establish a dedicated day to express solidarity with them.

He condemned the previous year’s sluggish GDP growth of 0.6 percent, voicing concern over wheat imports despite domestic challenges.

Highlighting the declining production of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and maize, he said that injustice is being done to farmers and the agricultural sector. He also objected to the imposition of carbon levy and voiced concerns over the shortage of schools and hospitals in South Punjab. Expressing serious reservations over the reduction in HEC’s grant, he said that such cuts would affect student scholarships and harm the education sector.

Taking part in the budget debate, Senator Khalida Ateeb emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of the previous national budget, highlighting that although a new budget is prepared annually to manage the country’s affairs, insufficient attention is given to learning from past financial experiences.
She questioned whether lawmakers’ recommendations would be incorporated into the upcoming fiscal document.
Highlighting the economic significance of Karachi, the country’s largest revenue-generating city, she called for equitable distribution of national resources. She proposed the establishment of a “Karachi Urban Development Fund” to ensure sustainable urban development in the metropolis.
Senator Ateeb further stressed the importance of instituting a robust local government system across all provinces, including Balochistan, to devolve power at the grassroots level. “Without empowering the local population, issues like sanitation and access to potable water will remain unresolved,” she said.
Referring to the ongoing K-IV water supply project critical to Karachi, she expressed concern over inadequate budgetary allocations and urged the government to prioritize the project for the benefit of the city’s residents.
The senator also criticized the imposition of taxes on solar panels and added that such measures could discourage the public from transitioning to renewable energy sources. “We should be encouraging the shift towards solarization, not penalizing it,” she noted.
Commenting on the geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, she warned that rising international oil prices could have a direct impact on Pakistan’s economy.
Senator Ateeb also lauded the armed forces for the successful Operation Banyanum Marsoos, and added that “We feel proud that our defense is in safe hands.”
Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan said that although the budget has not yet been finalized, its impact is already visible in market prices. He questioned when Pakistan would be able to formulate a budget without relying on loans, emphasizing the need for a serious discussion on unmet targets from previous years.
He termed the proposed salary increase for government employees as insufficient and urged the government to enhance it further. He also criticized the absence of budgetary allocation for water-related projects.
Senator Asad Qasim said that he belongs to Balochistan, a region that contributes directly and indirectly around 60 percent to the country’s GDP through its resources. He said the shortage of drinking water in Balochistan was a sheer injustice and stressed the dire need for equitable development.
Referring to the N-25 highway, he lamented that despite funds being allocated annually; the project remains incomplete and continues to claim nearly 10,000 lives each year.
He raised objections to the FBR’s point-of-sale system, questioning its practicality in areas lacking basic infrastructure like electricity and internet. He also expressed concerns over the FBR’s authority to arrest individuals on suspicion.
Qasim denounced the imposition of 18 percent tax on solar panels, he said this would affect both farmers and the general public. He called for more employment opportunities for Balochistan’s youth in major projects like Gwadar and N-25 , calling for the inclusion of the natives.
Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, emphasized the importance of political stability and urged all parties to work together for the greater good of the country. He also appreciated Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani for upholding democratic values and addressing concerns raised regarding fellow members, particularly acknowledging his balanced role in the House. Concluding his remarks, he stressed the need for constructive debate and mutual respect within the Parliament.
Senator Nadeem Bhutto stressed that parliamentarians should engage actively before the budget is finalized, as they are closely connected to the public and understand their problems firsthand.
He said the agricultural sector was ignored in this budget; our farmers are facing challenges due to changing weather patterns, our crops’ yields declining, and this sector needs our practical interventions.
Senator Bhutto called for an increase in minimum wages and pensions in line with inflation and called for reforms in the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).
He raised concerns about the effects of climate change in Pakistan, calling for increased afforestation, a decrease in plastic consumption, and the adoption of eco-friendly policies. He also denounced the 18 percent tax on small solar products, deeming it unfair to low-income families.
He mentioned that the government allocated less funding for key projects in Sindh, such as the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway and Karachi’s K-IV water project.

Participating in the budget debate at National Assembly, Syed Hussain Tariq, PPP MNA, claimed that Sindh had been unfairly deprived of funds and urged equal treatment for all provinces.

He called for a budget overhaul to create a clear economic road-map and emphasized the need to document the economy for national benefit.

He also warned that agricultural growth was lagging behind population growth, thus threatening food security.

MNA Shahram Khan, during the debate, claimed that economic did not perform well, citing low GDP growth and Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) output. He noted that despite producing around 7,000 MW of electricity, KPK faces
shortages.

He also urged that tobacco crops may not be taxed, as they directly support poor farmers.

Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon urged further increases in government salaries and emphasized the importance of
ongoing sectoral reforms for the country.

He praised the armed forces for their strong response to Indian aggression and commended national unity during that period. He stated that Pakistan’s success in the conflict has enhanced its global image.

He stressed that regional peace and stability depend on resolving the Kashmir issue, condemned India’s water aggression as a violation of international agreements, and denounced Indian state terrorism.

During the budget debate, Sehar Kamran of the PPP criticized the government for neglecting education and health, citing inadequate budget allocations. She warned that the hike in the petroleum levy would drive up the cost of essential goods, emphasizing the need for measures to support the poor.

Kamran also argued that the proposed salary increases fall short of matching rising inflation. Additionally, she condemned the extensive powers granted to the FBR and also called the tax on solar panels unjust.

Maulana Misbah Udin of JUI(F) highlighted the continued neglect of the erstwhile tribal areas, focusing on persistent load-shedding and the lack of clean drinking water. He noted that despite expectations, the 2025–26 budget once again failed to address these basic needs. He also demanded the implementation of a promised three-year tax exemption for the tribal districts.

Sadiq Ali Memon of the PPP criticized the inadequate allocation of funds to Sindh, calling the Rs15 billion earmarked for the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway out of a total Rs400 billion unjust. He emphasized the need to raise the minimum wage from Rs37,000 to Rs50,000 to ease the burden on workers.

Highlighting a decline in agricultural productivity, he warned of potential food insecurity and urged the government to take corrective measures. He also pointed to water and sanitation issues and rapid population growth as pressing national challenges.

Tehmina Daultana, MNA from PML(N), praised the armed forces, stating that every Pakistani stands ready to sacrifice for the army. “Winning the war made me proud,” she said.

Highlighting development in her constituency, she noted that her leadership had initiated numerous projects in Vehari and called for the establishment of a medical college in the district to support local students.

She emphasized the need for water storage infrastructure and an agricultural development to increase crop yields.

Tehmina also advocated for the building cities for education, healthcare, and industry. Stressing the vital role of women, she underscored the importance of women’s education as a key factor in managing population growth.

During the debate, Anwar Ali Taj of the SIC criticized the budget as deficit-driven, with insufficient allocations for education and health. He called for the inclusion of all deserving individuals in the BISP program and demanded releasing of funds as allocated under NFC for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Nikhat Shakeel of MQM, speaking during the debate, said Karachi had been neglected in both the federal and provincial budgets. She highlighted the city’s ongoing issues with drinking water, electricity, and gas shortages.

Haji Rasool Bux Chandio of PPP highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, particularly the need for fair support prices to enhance agricultural productivity.

He also called for targeted development initiatives in coastal regions, including Badin, to address regional disparities. Additionally, he lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force, for their swift and decisive
response during the recent conflict with India, underscoring the nation’s pride in their performance.

MNA Safdar Abbas while participating in the debate claimed that government neglect of agriculture as their wheat remained unsold due to inadequate procurement measures. He said the situation was same with other sectors of the economy.

Shista Khan of PML(N) emphasized the need to enhance the conditions of hospitals and schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She asserted that all significant development projects in the province were executed during PML(N)’s tenure.