Opening day dominated by political speeches in NA; Achakzai says freezing funds will hit provinces’ health, social sectors.
Pakistan freezes provincial development funds amid opposition protests; PM Shehbaz defends citing Balochistan projects and border security spending. Provincial budget constraints signal tightened IT spending and delayed digital initiatives across regional administrations.
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• 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
Centre, provinces struggle to reach consensus over fiscal space; KP says demand could push provinces into deficit.
PPP slams "unreasonable attitude" of ally PML-N; PTI protests for Imran, against taxes; MQM-P delegation meets Shehbaz.
Bilawal in attendance after PPP initially announced he would skip the session.
PM Shehbaz says “welfare and prosperity of Pakistan's great nation has been given utmost priority” in the budget.
Overall development outlay slashed by 25pc to Rs3.218tr; no new projects except for interior, defence ministries; federal PSDP…
Average inflation expected to be recorded at 8.2pc; finance minister says most of the budget expenditure to be allocated for…
