ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Ms. Sehar Kamran, delivered a forceful speech in the National Assembly covering a wide range of issues. She began by strongly condemning Israel's "unprovoked aggression" in Iran, specifically denouncing the "target killing of nuclear scientists, professors, researchers, and other civilians" as clear violations of human rights and international law. She criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating his actions show a "disregard for human life," and highlighted the devastating toll in Gaza, citing over 55,000 deaths and 128,000 injuries in the past 20 months.

Kamran drew a direct parallel between Israeli actions and what she termed "Indian aggression," recalling PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's description of Indian PM Narendra Modi as a "lesser version" of Netanyahu. She paid the "highest tribute" to Pakistan’s Armed Forces for their "professional and well-coordinated response" to past Indian aggression under Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and also commended Pakistani media for countering Indian "false propaganda."

Turning to national security, Kamran emphasized Pakistan's nuclear capability as fundamental to its defense. She paid the "highest tribute" to PPP founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating the nuclear program, stating Pakistan "remains indebted to him for sacrificing his life to make Pakistan’s defense impregnable." She also praised current PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his "exemplary leadership and effective diplomacy," crediting him with strengthening Pakistan's international representation.

The core of her speech was a scathing critique of the proposed Federal Budget 2025-26, which she declared "far from reality" and neglectful of critical sectors like education and health. She slammed its heavy focus on debt repayment and taxes, arguing it fails to provide relief to citizens facing hardship. Kamran highlighted the stark disparity between a 60% surge in inflation and only a 10% salary increase for government employees, calling it "insufficient." She further condemned delayed salaries, citing non-payment for 2-3 months at PTV News, and alleged government "discriminatory practices and favouritism" in disbursement.

She strongly opposed specific budget measures, including provisions allowing the FBR to "harass and arrest tax fraud suspects," the petrol levy (expected to worsen inflation), and the imposition of an 18% sales tax on milk and solar panels, categorically stating the "#PPP will not support such measures." Kamran also detailed a severe agricultural crisis, reporting that wheat growers faced "devastating losses amounting to Rs. 2.2 trillion since May 2024" due to government imports and failure to set a minimum support price. Cotton growers, she added, suffered due to an 18% sales tax on locally produced seed cotton, preventing recovery of basic investments.

Kamran strongly condemned the perceived neglect of Sindh province in the budget, citing insufficient allocations – only Rs. 15 billion for the Rs. 400 billion M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and inadequate funding for the K-IV water project. She denounced the non-transfer of Sindh’s projects to provincial control and intentions to retain federal dominance, issuing a clear ultimatum: "If the government fails to address Sindh’s concerns, the PPP will not support the budget." She also demanded "equitable opportunities and proportional fund allocations for women, reflecting their population ratio."

Concluding her forceful address, MNA Kamran invoked the famous words of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, emphasizing her right to speak truth: "اپنے ہونٹ سیے ہیں تم نے، میری زبان کو مت روکو، تم کو اگر توفیق نہیں تو، مجھ کو ہی سچ کہنے دو" (You have sewn your own lips shut; do not silence my tongue. If you lack the courage, then at least let me speak the truth). Her speech underscored the PPP's strong opposition to key budget aspects and its stance on international affairs, setting the stage for intense debate, with the warning over Sindh's grievances adding significant pressure on the government.