ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly’s budget debate took an unexpected turn on Tuesday as tempers flared between PPP and MQM lawmakers, shifting the focus from fiscal policies to heated party disputes.
When PPP’s Shazia Marri pressed the government to raise salaries and set a minimum wage for workers, MQM’s Asiya Ishaq challenged her assertion on Karachi’s status within Sindh. What began as a policy disagreement quickly escalated into a tense verbal exchange involving multiple lawmakers stepping in.
Aseefa Bhutto and Sahar Kamran sided with Shazia, prompting MQM member Javed Hanif to fire back sharply: “You’ve abandoned Karachi, and now you threaten us.” The clash underscored deep political undercurrents behind budget discussions.
Marri also used the platform to criticise the government over inflation and the absence of minimum wage provisions. She urged the administration to rethink the controversial 18% tax on solar panels, warning it would hurt both business and consumer interests.
On a different note, PML-N’s Mian Khan Bugti commended the government’s allocation of Rs 250 billion for connectivity projects in Balochistan—an initiative he said would boost development in the region.
The fiery exchange highlighted how debates over numbers and allocations can quickly become battlegrounds for broader political and regional grievances.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.