ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (Alliance News): The federal cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the Finance Bill for the fiscal year 2025-26, moving one step closer to finalizing the government’s financial roadmap for the upcoming year.
During the session, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb briefed the cabinet on the provisions of the Finance Bill, following which a motion to approve it was passed through a majority vote. The process of clause-wise approval commenced immediately after.
Opposition members attempted to delay the bill’s approval, proposing that it be sent for public consultation before a final decision is made. However, the amendment was rejected by the majority.
Opposition lawmakers, including Mubeen Arif and Alia Kamran, emphasized the importance of public input, arguing that taxpayers should have a say in fiscal decisions that affect them directly.
“The real stakeholders are the people, and their opinion must be sought,” said Alia Kamran. Mubeen Arif echoed similar sentiments, suggesting the bill be postponed until public feedback was obtained. Both proposals were defeated in the vote.
Earlier, in a separate meeting also chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the cabinet unanimously approved the budget draft for 2025-26 before presenting it to the National Assembly for debate.
The government now moves toward the next legislative stages for budget approval, as the country prepares for a financially significant fiscal year.
