LAHORE: Senior PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah says that no solution to any problem has been given in the federal budget but it imposed new taxes.

“This budget does not solve anyone’s problem, including labourers, farmers, traders and youth. I have been watching budgets being prepared and passed for 35 years,” said Mr Shah after meeting PPP leader Naveed Chaudhry and his son Ifran Naveed Chaudhry here on Sunday.

The former opposition leader said the wishes and aspirations of the people were usually kept in mind in every budget but this time, the government withdrew the facility of free electricity units up to 300 units in this budget.

He regretted that the government imposed 18pc general sales tax (GST) on solar panels being installed by the people after its failure to provide them with electricity at reasonable rates.He alleged a petroleum levy had been imposed to introduce electric vehicles.

Mr Shah the minimum wage for labourers had not been increased while salaries of the government employees had been enhanced merely by 10pc. He recalled that the PPP, during its last tenure in power, had increased the salaries by 135pc.He regretted that the backbone of agriculture had been destroyed by imposing taxes, which would also destroy 100 agro-industries.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2025