National ( The cow news digital ) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aamir Dogar has stated that Israel and the United States would not have dared to consider any military action against Iran if former Prime Minister Imran Khan had been in power.
Speaking during the National Assembly budget session, Aamir Dogar said that political opponents once referred to PTI members as inexperienced, while claiming they themselves were capable of governing the country. He argued that Pakistan must now reclaim its political space and move forward with greater autonomy in decision-making.
His remarks came during a heated parliamentary debate on the federal budget, where lawmakers from different parties presented contrasting views on the government’s economic policies and fiscal direction.
Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticized the budget, claiming that it reflected heavy reliance on international financial institutions and did not represent independent economic planning. He also alleged that a significant number of multinational companies had exited Pakistan in recent years, signaling declining investor confidence.
PTI lawmaker Shandana Gulzar described the budget as one of the most unfavorable in recent years, arguing that it would further burden lower-income groups. She said the economic gap between different income classes had been inconsistently defined and criticized what she called contradictions in government policy regarding poverty thresholds.
From the treasury benches, Pakistan Peoples Party representative Mirza Ikhtiar Baig expressed support for defense expenditures, stating that lawmakers were willing to contribute to national security funding. However, he also urged the government to reconsider taxation structures affecting high-income earners and small industries, arguing that certain measures amounted to double taxation.
He further highlighted concerns over taxation on solar energy components, noting that while solar panels themselves may be exempt, related equipment such as inverters had been taxed, affecting households that had turned to renewable energy solutions through loans.
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Another PPP lawmaker, Mahesh Kumar Malani, welcomed the government’s decision not to alter the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. He stated that this reflected a positive development for provincial fiscal distribution and continuity. However, he also stressed the need for increased wage support and job creation measures, pointing to ongoing economic uncertainty and employment challenges.
The session reflected deep divisions among political parties over fiscal policy, economic direction, and governance priorities, with opposition and government members presenting sharply contrasting assessments of the national budget.
