During the budget debate in the National Assembly, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called for efforts to create a political consensus to abolish the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Lawmakers from opposition parties questioned the substantial budgetary allocations for institutions like the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the judiciary, while also decrying alleged political victimization.
“We realized that NAB and the Pakistani economy cannot coexist,” Bhutto-Zardari stated. He emphasized that NAB, an institution he claimed was created for political engineering, was causing fear among businessmen and bureaucrats, hindering economic activities. Bhutto-Zardari reiterated the PPP’s manifesto commitment to abolishing NAB, suggesting that even its biggest supporters might back this step today.
He highlighted the need for political cooperation to prioritize solutions to the crises facing the country, recalling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s earlier proposal for a ‘Charter of Economy.’ Bhutto-Zardari expressed disappointment that the agreement between PPP and PML-N for budget consultations was not fulfilled.
The PPP chairman also voiced concerns over rising electricity prices and ongoing load-shedding amid sweltering temperatures. He advocated for competitive taxation rather than punitive taxation, criticizing the reliance on indirect taxes. Bhutto-Zardari stated that the Sindh government had expanded tax collection without threatening the business community, contrasting it with the federal approach.
The debate in the National Assembly underscored the ongoing political challenges and economic issues facing Pakistan. Bhutto-Zardari’s call for a political consensus to abolish NAB and his critique of current economic policies highlight the need for comprehensive reforms and cooperative efforts to address the country’s pressing problems.