RAWALPINDI: Pakistan People’s Party Workers (PPP-W) on Friday rejected the Federal Budget 2026-27, describing it as an IMF-driven, anti-people budget that fails to address the growing hardships faced by ordinary Pakistanis.

In a statement, Pakistan Peoples Party Workers (PPP-W) President Dr. Safdar Ali Abbasi and former MNA and Political Assistant to PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto Naheed Khan, stated that despite government claims of economic stability, inflation, unemployment, high utility costs, and declining purchasing power continue to erode the living standards of the people.

They said that the burden of economic adjustment remains concentrated on salaried employees, pensioners, labourers, farmers, small traders, and the middle class, while many affluent sectors remain outside the effective tax net.

They expressed concern over Pakistan’s mounting debt burden, which continues to divert resources away from education, healthcare, employment generation, scientific research, and social welfare. The budget also fails to present a credible strategy for broadening the tax base, documenting the economy, and reducing dependence on external borrowing.

They further criticised the inadequate allocations and lack of vision for education, healthcare, youth development, employment creation, entrepreneurship, and social welfare. It also noted the absence of a comprehensive plan to address climate change, water scarcity, environmental degradation, and disaster preparedness despite Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to these challenges.

PPP-W leadership emphasised that sustainable economic recovery and investor confidence cannot be achieved without political stability, democratic engagement, and national consensus.

In this regard, the party called for the release of all political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and urged all stakeholders to pursue dialogue and reconciliation within the framework of the Constitution.

Reaffirming its commitment to the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, the PPPW reiterated its support for policies based on social justice, democratic freedoms, constitutional supremacy, economic self-reliance, and the welfare of the people.

The PPP-W leaders said that the party believes the Federal Budget 2026-27 is a missed opportunity to provide meaningful relief, strengthen human development, and build national consensus at a critical moment for Pakistan.

The party will continue to advocate policies that place the welfare of citizens above all other considerations, they said.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026