BUDGET 2026-27: Govt slammed over provincial freeze as budget debate opens
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
PKMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai speaks at the National Assembly’s budget session.—White Star • Opening day dominated by political speeches in NA• Achakzai says freezing funds will hit provinces’ health, social sectors• PM defends govt’s approach, highlights Balochistan projects• Supports border fencing for national security; renews offer for talks with opposition• MQM calls for strong local govt system, approval of 28th Amendment ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Saturday formally began a general debate on the federal budget for the next financial year, with lawmakers delivering lengthy speeches and mostly raising political and local issues rather than discussing the budgetary proposals presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb amid noisy opposition protest on Friday. The highlight of the opening day of the budget debate was a more than hour-long speech by Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and an immediate response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attended the sitting for a significant time. In his speech, Mr Achakzai criticised the government’s decision to freeze development allocations for the provinces, contending that it would hit their health and social sectors. The opposition leader began his speech by dwelling on regional history, starting from 1860, and linking it with the prevailing law and order situation and lack of consensus among political parties in the country. Mr Achakzai was still on his feet when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif entered the house amid desk-thumping by treasury members. The premier carefully listened to the opposition leader’s speech and immediately took the floor for a response, while affirming the government’s commitment to contributing to the development of all provinces. He said everyone could have a political viewpoint and a different vision, but “we are here, if Pakistan exists”. “There is no difference of opinion on this,” PM Shehbaz said, while referring to Mr Achakzai’s assertion that provinces had the