National Assembly Concludes FY27 Budget Deliberations Amid Sharp Opposition Criticism of Interior Ministry

National Assembly Concludes FY27 Budget Deliberations Amid Sharp Opposition Criticism of Interior Ministry

• Lawmakers criticize interior ministry for deteriorating law and order; 587 cut motions submitted and rejected in two-day session

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly concluded approvals for the 2026–27 federal budget on Monday, having passed 135 demands for grants across ministries and associated departments over two days of debate. Opposition parties tabled 587 cut motions—including 380 on the final day—each of which was overwhelmingly defeated by voice vote. The assembly is now expected to proceed with consideration of the Finance Bill ahead of final budget enactment.

Throughout the sessions, NAA TV and official social media platforms broadcast opposition speeches; however, segments referencing Imran Khan and critiques of state institutions were audibly redacted.

Interior Ministry Faces Intense Scrutiny

A total of 123 cut motions targeted the interior ministry, with legislators citing serious concerns over the performance of its subordinate bodies—including the Federal Investigation Agency, Anti-Narcotics Force, and National Cybercrime Investigation Agency.

Opposition members justified the large number of motions by emphasizing public grievances over security failures and institutional accountability. PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar attributed the country’s investment slump and rising sociopolitical polarization to lapses in law and order, stating, “The failure of just one ministry has not only undermined national economic prospects but deepened ethnic and religious divisions.” She further contended that citizens face threats not only from terrorists and criminals but also from elements within security forces.

Gulzar criticized the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency for prosecuting individuals over political speech, asserting: “Mr Speaker, we recognize that criticising the state is不当—but Maryam Nawaz is not the state; she is the elected head of a provincial government.”

Hameed Hussain, MNA from Parachinar representing Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, underscored deteriorating security conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noting that access routes to his constituency are restricted to just two hours daily.

Food Ministry Under Fire for Agrarian Policies

In addition to the interior ministry, lawmakers submitted 112 cut motions concerning the food ministry, pressing for measures to curb fertiliser costs, expand crop insurance, and stabilize input prices for farmers.

PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar observed contradictions in agricultural markets, remarking: “A paradox exists: farmers protest low procurement rates while urban consumers complain of inflated retail prices for raw foodstuffs.”

Some speakers during the debate lauded civil-military leadership for stabilising regional security and urged reviving the stalled Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Published in Dawn, June 23, 2026

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