Islamabad, June 13, 2026: Chairman of the Pakistan Awami Quwat Party (PAQP), Chairman of Rawal Foundation, and Chairman of Rawal General & Dental Hospital, Khawaja Khaqan Waheed, has strongly rejected the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27, describing it as “nothing more than a deceptive play of words” that offers no meaningful relief to ordinary citizens.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Khawaja Khaqan Waheed said the budget lacks the policies and structural reforms necessary to improve the lives of the common people. He argued that the country’s poor and lower-income segments, which he claimed constitute nearly 85 percent of the population, have been ignored in the government’s financial plan.
“This budget is merely a game of numbers and statistics. It contains no practical measures capable of changing the lives of ordinary Pakistanis,” he said.
Criticizing the government’s approach to agriculture, he noted that no significant reforms had been introduced for farmers, nor had any effective pricing mechanism been established to safeguard their interests.
“Pakistan is fundamentally an agricultural country, yet the budget does not offer any serious agricultural reforms. There is also no clear strategy outlining how the government intends to increase revenue or generate foreign exchange earnings,” he remarked.
Khawaja Khaqan Waheed further questioned the government’s economic direction, saying that while efforts are being made to attract foreign investors and expand state assets, preparations are simultaneously underway to seek additional financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to him, the budget is no different from those presented by previous governments and relies heavily on numerical projections rather than comprehensive economic reforms.
Referring to the government’s tax collection targets, he expressed doubts about the ability of authorities to achieve the projected revenue goals, which range between Rs15 trillion and Rs18 trillion. He argued that a significant portion of federal revenues is transferred to provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, making it difficult to meet ambitious collection targets without broader structural changes.
He called for reforms in the existing NFC framework, the creation of new provinces, and the holding of local government elections, saying these measures were essential for improving governance and public service delivery.
“The system itself is flawed and institutions remain weak. A budget alone cannot solve these problems. Budgets are not built on money alone; they require meaningful reforms,” he said.
Khawaja Khaqan Waheed stressed that reforms take time to produce results and that even if initiated today, their benefits would likely become visible only over the next decade or more.
He maintained that only a government genuinely representing the people and understanding their hardships could formulate policies capable of bringing lasting improvements in living standards.
Concluding his remarks, the PAQP chief said his party was committed to improving the lives of ordinary citizens and urged the public to support political forces that are sincerely dedicated to Pakistan’s progress and development.
