Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a meeting to discuss the party’s concerns regarding the federal budget for 2024-25.
The invitation was extended during a phone call in which Prime Minister Sharif also conveyed his Eid greetings to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The meeting is set to take place at the Prime Minister’s House by Friday. During this meeting, the prime minister will attempt to address the PPP chairman’s concerns, who had symbolically attended the budget session on June 12, criticizing the government for not consulting the PPP in the budget preparation process.
PPP Criticizes PML-N: Budget Seen as ‘Anti-Poor’ by Opposition
According to sources within the PPP, the meeting will focus on addressing key issues, particularly the PPP’s objections to the imposition of heavy taxes on the salaried class. The PPP has accused the PML-N of excluding its input, branding the budget as ‘anti-poor’.
In other communications, Prime Minister Sharif extended Eid greetings to Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Additionally, the prime minister called the top leadership of Pakistan Armed Forces to convey Eid-ul-Azha greetings.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Commends Armed Forces on Eid
The prime minister conveyed his Eid wishes to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu.
According to the PM Office Media Wing, the prime minister praised the armed forces, highlighting the nation’s gratitude towards the Jawans who protect the country’s borders. He commended the professional leadership of Pakistan’s top military officials, acknowledging their role in thwarting the malicious intentions of enemies and terrorists.
