Opposition likely to strongly oppose govt's mini-budget in NA

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition is expected to strongly oppose the government’s mini-budget which is due to be presented before the National Assembly (NA) shortly.

According to sources, a meeting of leaders of key opposition parties was held in the chamber of Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rana Taveer, Rana Sanaullah attended the meeting while senior members of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) – Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Khursheed Shah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Awami National Party’s Ameer Haider Khan Hoti were also present during the session.

Sources said, the opposition parties have unanimously decided to defy the third upcoming budget of the current financial year in the National Assembly today, however, former opposition leader Khursheed Shah announced that the Opposition will not stage a walkout from the house.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government is going to unveil the third budget on the floor of the Lower House in next few hours. The government would present its economic agenda, spelling out measures to navigate the country’s faltering economy out of choppy waters.

The Ministry of Finance in a statement said main focus of the package was to boost manufacturing and exports, encourage low-cost housing and facilitate agricultural financing to promote economic activities.

The focus was also on enhancing ease of doing business, simplifying procedures for setting up businesses and undertaking investment.