Seven-day budget debate lasted over 53 hours, Opposition given additional speaking time, says Speaker Ayaz Sadiq
Islamabad :MNN
The National Assembly has concluded the debate on the Federal Budget 2026-27 after four days of discussions, with a total of 232 lawmakers participating in the proceedings.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, informed the House that 151 members from the treasury benches and 81 members from the opposition took part in the budget debate.
According to the Speaker, lawmakers collectively spent 53 hours and 31 minutes discussing budgetary proposals, economic policies and fiscal priorities for the upcoming financial year.
Treasury members accounted for 34 hours and 33 minutes of the debate, while opposition lawmakers spoke for 18 hours and 58 minutes, Ayaz Sadiq said.
Providing a party-wise breakdown, the Speaker stated that 77 members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 49 members of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and 20 members of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) participated in the debate.
From the opposition side, 67 members affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), 10 members from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and one member from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) took part in the discussions.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq further noted that the opposition was provided 8 hours and 18 minutes more than its allocated speaking time, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring all parliamentary parties had an adequate opportunity to present their views and concerns.
With the debate now concluded, the National Assembly is expected to proceed with discussions on cut motions, demands for grants, and the passage of the Finance Bill for the fiscal year 2026-27.