Nawaz decides to ‘skip’ budget debate in NA session

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Mian Nawaz Sharif has decided to skip National Assembly’s Budget 2024-25 session.

Nawaz Sharif sought leave from the NA budget session from the Assembly Secretariat which was approved.

It is to be noted that Nawaz Sharif also skipped the NA session when Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Budget 2024-25.

Currently, the lower and upper houses of the Parliament are discussing the Budget 2024-25. The Shehbaz government is facing resistance about passage of budget due to reservations and differences of PPP.

In this situation, all the PMLN members were directed to remain in Islamabad on the occasion of debate on budget in National Assembly and must attend NA session, but the direction is not being followed.

PMLN President Nawaz Sharif, who is also an MNA, decided not to attend Budget 2024-25 session and applied for leave which was approved by National Assembly Secretariat. However, no cause has been given by Nawaz Sharif in his application for leave.

PMLN sources say Nawaz Sharif is disheartened at imposition of heavy taxes on the white collar class and low-income groups, and has decided not to attend the budget session.