ISLAMABAD – June 18, 2025 – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Syed Ali Zafar has firmly denied reports suggesting that his party is engaged in any formal discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding the upcoming federal budget. He clarified that no alliance or negotiation has been initiated or authorized by PTI’s central leadership or party founder Imran Khan.
Speaking on Dawn News’ Doosra Rukh, Zafar stated that former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser’s recent meeting with PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Abdul Qadir Patel was of a personal nature and not a sanctioned political dialogue.
“PTI has not held any official talks with the PPP. Any meetings that have taken place are in a personal capacity, and there’s been no green signal from the party leadership to pursue any alliance,” he said.
PTI to Oppose Budget Without External Coordination
Senator Zafar reiterated PTI’s decision to vote against the budget, describing it as flawed and damaging to the public. However, he made it clear that this opposition is independent of any coordination with other parties.
“Our stance is based on principle, not political alignment. This budget is anti-people, and we cannot support it in its current form,” he emphasized.
PPP’s Position Remains Unclear
On the other side, the PPP leadership has been voicing concerns about the budget as well, particularly regarding development allocations, taxation policies, and the treatment of Sindh’s share in federal resources. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reportedly opened channels with PPP leaders in hopes of defusing tension within the ruling coalition.
Despite these efforts, PPP has not yet officially confirmed whether it will support or oppose the budget during the upcoming vote in parliament.
Analysts See Budget as Potential Flashpoint
Political analysts believe the upcoming budget vote could become a key test for the federal government, especially as coalition unity appears shaky. With PTI set to reject the finance bill and PPP showing dissatisfaction, any shift in alliances could significantly impact the bill’s passage.
“If PPP decides to abstain or vote against, the government could face a serious setback,” one analyst told PakTribune.
Public and Political Implications
The budget, which includes contentious measures such as the proposed 18% GST on solar panels and increased income tax on salaried classes, has already sparked criticism from across the political spectrum. PTI’s strong opposition and the ambiguity in PPP’s stance signal a potentially turbulent path for the government.
