At an All-Opposition seminar held at the National Press Club Islamabad, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi warned that the Federal Budget 2026–27 fails to address the problems faced by ordinary citizens and that Pakistan cannot achieve progress without reforms, the rule of law, and sincere political leadership.
Leaders from multiple parties, economists, business representatives, and civil society members attended the event organized by the Awaam Pakistan Party. Chaudhry Inam Zafar welcomed the turnout and praised the seminar for providing a meaningful platform for discussion on Pakistan’s economic and social challenges.
Miftah Ismail, secretary general of Awaam Pakistan Party, said poverty, inflation, unemployment, and national debt have risen significantly while investment, exports, and industrial growth remain weak. He argued the Federal Budget lacks an effective strategy to control inflation or reduce unemployment and instead imposes an extra tax burden on the public.
Abbasi described the budget as meaningless for the majority, highlighting concerns about the expansion of federal institutions, growing youth unemployment, rising pension expenditures, and an inequitable tax system that places disproportionate strain on ordinary households.
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that the budget burdens citizens rather than promoting welfare, insisting that the government must deliver healthcare, education, and essential services in return for the taxes it collects.
Former speaker Asad Qaiser warned that economic development is impossible without judicial independence, political stability and investor confidence, and raised alarms over the decline in agriculture and restrictions on border trade that have harmed rural incomes and livelihoods.
Dr Zafar Mirza noted a long downward trend in human development indicators over the past twelve years and pointed to rising polio, hepatitis, diabetes and mental health challenges, urging that healthcare be treated as a national priority in budget planning.
Salman Akram Raja said mounting debt and rising debt servicing costs are diverting resources away from development, education and health, calling for greater public investment, constitutional safeguards, stronger local governments and comprehensive reforms.
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar warned that growing poverty, inflation and unemployment are eroding the middle class while citizens face heavy taxes without corresponding public services. Provincial finance advisor Muzammil Aslam criticized the federal budget as tailored to narrow interests and urged increased investment in education, health and human development alongside pension reforms.
Former MPA Taimur Khan Jhagra stressed the need to expand the tax base, cut wasteful government expenditure and introduce administrative reforms. Former governor Muhammad Zubair and business leader Ajmal Baloch highlighted how inflation and declining purchasing power have hit the poorest and damaged businesses and industries.
Real estate expert Muhammad Ahsan Malik said the budget failed to offer meaningful relief to ordinary citizens and instead granted concessions to privileged sectors, calling for wider consultation with economic experts and a fairer taxation system.
The seminar concluded with an interactive question and answer session where participants exchanged views on the Federal Budget and urged transparent elections, systemic reforms and policies that restore investor confidence while protecting vulnerable households.
