ISLAMABAD: The first lady of Pakistan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardaritook an exception to Budget 2024-25, saying that the people of Pakistan deserved a better financial plan for the next fiscal year. She expressed these views while delivering her maiden speech in the National Assembly.
Aseefa was recognised as the first lady earlier this year in March and was later elected as the member of parliament on ShaheedBenazirabad seat, NA-207, which was vacated by her father, Asif Ali Zardari on becoming the president of Pakistan. In her opening remarks, Aseefa said it was an emotional moment for her as she addressed the assembly for the first time. “An emotional moment for me today, standing here addressing the House that both my grandparents, my parents and brother had been part of. I bow my head before Almighty Allah,” she said.
Voicing PPP’s concerns regarding the federal budget, the MNA said that the country had found itself in another challenging situation due to deteriorating economic indicators.She said the government had presented its budget at a time when the country was facing unprecedented employment, inflation, poverty, climate change and other catastrophes.
“We envisioned a budget that could address the core needs of the people of Pakistan. A budget that did not wish to make the rich richer and poor poorer. A budget that did not seek to benefit large corporations at the expense of vulnerable of our society,” Aseefa added.
She asked if the federal budget met the expectations of masses, adding that the budget 2024-25 did not represent the people of Pakistan. She said the budget should have prioritised the welfare of farmers, labourers and working class, and sought to lessen the gap of wealth and inequality.
“Do the people of Pakistan deserve this anti-people budget?” she asked, adding that all stakeholders must work together to do better for citizens and provide relief to downtrodden segments of the society.
Meanwhile, PPP leader ShaziaMarri came down hard on the finance minister for not honouring the words of parliament saying her village was out of electricity even on the Eid Day. She asked the minister not to blame consumers for excessive load-shedding of up to 20 hours.
