Bilawal to meet Shehbaz today to discuss budget concerns

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari after tensions within the ruling coalition have heightened over the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, according to sources.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been at odds with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over money bills both at the federal level and in Punjab.

Bilawal is preparing to express his party’s concerns directly to the prime minister in a meeting expected to take place today.

The PPP believes that the PML-N is taking them for granted, particularly by excluding their input in the PSDP budget, PPP lawmaker Shazia Marri told The Express Tribune.

Sources reveal that Shehbaz has invited Bilawal to the Prime Minister’s House, and the meeting is scheduled for 4 PM.

It is likely that Bilawal will use the opportunity to voice his concerns regarding the budget.

Sources reveal that Bilawal will maintain his absence from the National Assembly’s budget session, adding that the PPP chairman will take the next step based on the results of the meeting with the premier.

If the meeting is successful, they added, there will be full participation in the session; otherwise, the parliamentary party will determine the course of action.

In this regard, insiders also said, PPP’s participation in today's budget session will also be symbolic.

PPP has nominated four members for token participation in the National Assembly session. Among those participating in the session will be Qadir Patel, Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Colonel Asad Niazi, and Agha Rafiullah.

It is pertinent to note that the PPP’s absence from the National Assembly’s budget session on June 12 was a clear sign of discontent.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had to make a beeline for Bilawal’s chamber to persuade the PPP to participate in the proceedings. However, Bilawal only sent three of his MNAs—Naveed Qamar, Khursheed Shah, and Ijaz Jakhrani—to represent the party.

The PPP feels that the PML-N has not only strayed from their post-election agreement but is also starting to take the PPP for granted.