Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

NA Approves Trillions in Budget Demands Amid Opposition Protests
Passed amid protest: NA approves 136 budget demands worth trillions. Speaker rejects count; Omar Ayub says demands could cause a “heart attack.”
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-24
NA Approves Trillions in Budget Demands Amid Opposition Protests

The National Assembly on Tuesday approved 136 budgetary demands amounting to trillions of rupees, presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, amid loud protests and resistance from the opposition benches.

The demands, covering multiple ministries and divisions, were passed clause-by-clause, even as Opposition Leader Omar Ayub challenged the process, calling for greater scrutiny and vote counting.

In a fiery intervention during the finance minister’s presentation, Omar Ayub remarked: “Listening to these demands, a team from Polyclinic could have a heart attack.”

The opposition strongly objected to the swift approval process and again demanded a headcount during the vote. However, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq rejected the opposition’s call for a count for the second time, allowing the approval to proceed.

Despite opposition outcry, the count was conducted once — resulting in 116 votes in favor and 32 against — confirming the passage of the demands.

Among the major allocations:

·       Rs 1.93 billion was approved for the Ministry of Defense Production

·       6 demands approved for the Ministry of Law

·       5 for the Ministry of Education

·       2 each for the Information and Broadcasting Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

·       1 demand each for the Housing and Works Division, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Senate Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Overseas Pakistanis Division, and the Ministry of Planning

·       2 demands approved for the Railways Division

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, during his address, maintained that the budgetary demands are necessary for the state’s functioning and that all procedures were being followed under parliamentary rules.

The opposition, however, remained unconvinced, with Omar Ayub insisting that the demands deserved deeper debate and transparency before approval.

The budget approval process is expected to continue throughout the week, with further debate likely on supplementary grants and finance bill provisions.

 
Tagged:

NationalAssembly

Budget2025

OmarAyub

MuhammadAurangzeb
Share News: