Bilawal admits PPP's budget strategy ‘was very weak'

• Bilawal says PPP was not taken on board over Budget 2024-25. 
• Says PPP took all stakeholders in confidence in its previous terms.
• Says free and fair elections benefit PPP, eventually. 

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has admitted that his party's strategy for the Budget 2024-25 was “very weak” as he failed to engage the government to ensure implementation on written agreement on power sharing formula that his party reached with the PML-N.

“Our strategy regarding budget was very weak,” the PPP chief said while addressing a press conference flanked by Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti in Quetta.

He said the understanding regarding the PSPD between the PPP, PML-N and all four provinces should have reached before the budget.

“Had I raised the issue beforehand at the right time, I would have brought a project for Balochistan in the form of the PSDP," he added.

"The overall economic situation in the country has attracted criticism from various quarters," the PPP chief said adding that the allies of the ruling coalition would have been approached, had there been a consultation process in place.

Bilawal's remarks come after the tax-heavy budget cruised through the National Assembly following its endorsement by the ruling alliance, including the PPP. On June 30, President Asif Ali Zardari greenlighted the Finance Bill 2024, which went into effect on July 1, which marks the beginning of the next fiscal year.

The federal government presented the tax-loaded Rs18.877 trillion budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) two weeks ago, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, which termed it "economic terrorism" against the people.

"The PPP sticks to what it says. We are not forcing that all our recommendations should be accepted," Bilawal said adding that the PPP-led government would bring everything to the lower and upper houses of parliament after creating consensus in its 2008-13 stint in power in the Centre. 

Responding to a question on election rigging, he said that the PPP witnessed rigging in every election, adding that free and fair elections would benefit the PPP, eventually.

The PPP's political rivals are destined to wail and whine whether they win the elections or lose them.

He also said that the party would send its representatives to the All Parties Conference (APC) being convened by the federal government to evolve consensus on the newly launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. The PPP will put forward its stance regarding the situation in Balochistan, said Bilawal.

The Balochistan CM has prioritised improving the law and order situation in the province, he said adding that his party will make efforts to engage all stakeholders and political forces.