ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly on Thursday passed the Finance Bill 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs17,573 billion, marking a key milestone in finalizing the federal budget process.
Despite vocal opposition, all proposed cut motions and amendments by opposition members were rejected by a majority vote, clearing the way for the government’s fiscal roadmap.
PPP’s Support Secures Smooth Passage
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) played a crucial role in ensuring the bill’s passage, with Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari confirming support after the government accepted all of the party’s key demands.
Among the fulfilled conditions were a 20% increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), tax relief for the salaried class, and a 50% reduction in the proposed solar tax.
The Bill to give effect to the financial proposals of the Federal Government for the year beginning on the first day of July, 2025 and to amend certain laws [The Finance Bill, 2025], as reported by the Standing Committee was taken up clause by clause.
The House adopted the… pic.twitter.com/cRJ3qr5O7M
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present in the session alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who presented the bill clause by clause.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presided over the proceedings.
Opposition Amendments Rejected, Fiscal Agenda Moves Ahead
Opposition members, including Mubeen Arif and Aaliya Kamran, called for the bill to be delayed and subjected to public opinion. Their proposals were rejected.
With the Finance Bill approved, the government is now empowered to implement its complete economic agenda beginning July 1, 2025.
Bilawal criticized PTI for previously attempting to cut BISP allocations, contrasting it with the current administration’s continuous increases in social spending.
