The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rejected the federal budget 2025-26 both inside and outside the National Assembly, calling it an “IMF-dictated budget” that lacks public legitimacy and launching a two-pronged attack: an aggressive protest on the assembly floor and a pointed press conference soon after.
The finance minister’s second consecutive budget speech kicked off under fire, with the opposition benches erupting into noisy protest from the get-go.
As Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb began unveiling the budget, PTI lawmakers rose to their feet, banged budget books on their desks, blew whistles, and held up posters calling for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Throughout the presentation, they chanted slogans against the government, branding the budget illegitimate and anti-people. Undeterred by the uproar, the finance minister pressed on, while treasury members donned headphones to tune out the opposition’s noise.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who entered the house amid the commotion, remained seated and unflinching, as ruling party lawmakers formed a protective cordon around him to avoid any direct clash with the protesting members.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan led from the front, setting the tone for a coordinated protest and ensuring every PTI lawmaker played their part.
Remaining on his feet throughout the session, he repeatedly slammed the budget book on his desk and signalled to fellow members to stay engaged. Lawmakers tore papers and flung them into the air at intervals.
After the initial outburst, opposition members moved en masse toward the area between the speaker’s desk and the prime minister’s seat, continuing their chorus of slogans without letting up.
The disruption echoed the tense scenes from last year’s budget session, when the finance minister’s maiden speech faced an equally turbulent reception from PTI-turned-Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers.
Then as now, the protests included loud chanting, desk-slamming, paper-tearing and close proximity to the PM’s seat, prompting treasury members to act as a human shield.
Shortly after the session, senior PTI leaders, including NA opposition leader Omar Ayub, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Leader of Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz, addressed a joint press conference, reiterating their categorical rejection of the budget.
“This is not a people’s budget; it’s an IMF budget designed to serve elite interests,” the opposition leader said.
