Islamabad, 26 June 2025: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the National Assembly to explain why the PPP is supporting the federal budget.
He stated that the government has increased the allocation for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a scheme envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto by 20 per cent. He criticised the previous PTI government for attempting to undermine BISP in every budget, and commended the current Prime Minister for consistently increasing its funding since assuming office.
He further noted that the government has raised the income threshold for tax exemption from Rs 600,000 to Rs 1.2 million annually.
Additionally, he highlighted that the tax on solar panels was reduced from 18 per cent to 10 per cent following objections raised by PPP members.
Chairman Bilawal also welcomed the decision to curtail the arrest powers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Under the new policy, arrests in tax cases can now only be made in instances of proven fraud, and not during the inquiry stage. Moreover, such offences have been declared bailable.
“These are the reasons why the PPP is supporting this budget,” he concluded.