NA passes budget for FY2026-27 following opposition walkout
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The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year during a session that saw the opposition staging a walkout. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb moved the bill for the House to approve the budget proposals for the next fiscal year after the opposition’s walkout. The walkout was preceded by a speech by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who had criticised the government over several issues. His speech was not livestreamed on the NA’s social media platforms or on television channels, even after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday lifted longstanding curbs on the airing and dissemination of opposition members’ speeches. Later, Achakzai posted on X: “We have taken an oath to protect the Constitution of Pakistan. You have supported undemocratic forces in trampling the Constitution; through your vote, you have clipped the wings of the judiciary.” According to Achakzai, this excerpt was from his address in the NA, which was “censored”. Achakzai assails govt Sparks flew in the House as Achakzai assailed the federal government, prompting a strong response from Speaker Sadiq. The opposition leader began his speech by criticising Sadiq. “We will have to change our tone now that your government has completed 2.5 years,” he said, criticising Sadiq for his conduct as the speaker. “You did not care about the Constitution and law as you dismissed 14 of your colleagues from the Assembly,” Achakzai said, seemingly referring to PTI’s disqualified members. He also criticised the government for sentencing Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)’s Dr Mahrang Baloch to life imprisonment. The NA opposition leader further slammed the government for its response to the recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Turning guns on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was also present in the House, Achakzai referred to an earlier speech by him. “I did not enjoy the way Shehbaz bhai spoke, He told me that we are here because Pakistan is still here, and I think he was absolutel