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In a press conference held in Islamabad, Shazia Marri, the Information Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), expressed significant concerns about the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's approach to the federal budget for 2024-25. Marri accused the PML-N, which leads the coalition government, of sidelining its key ally, the PPP, during the budget preparation process.

Marri's statements followed the presentation of the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2023-24 by Finance Minister Muhammad, a document detailing the macroeconomic indicators for the outgoing fiscal year. She voiced the PPP’s reservations over the budget proposals finalized by the ruling party.

During her address, Marri revealed that the PPP's parliamentary party, chaired by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, held an important session to discuss the upcoming budget. During this session, party lawmakers conveyed their concerns to the top leadership. Marri underscored the difficulties faced by the PPP due to what she described as the federal government's dismissive attitude towards their party, particularly highlighting the need for relief measures for farmers in the budget.

Marri stressed that the PPP had expected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to be more considerate of their position and criticized the federal government for failing to meet previously agreed-upon demands with the PPP. She announced that the PPP parliamentarians would gather again for another key session to further discuss the federal budget.

Additionally, Marri reiterated that the PPP would not join the PML-N government's federal cabinet. This sentiment was echoed by another senior PPP leader, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, who had earlier expressed frustration over the lack of consultation regarding the budget. Shah questioned the transparency of the budget-making process and hinted at external influences, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the federal budget.

Shah emphasized that the PPP's proposals should have been included in the budget, highlighting the political implications and accountability they face from the public. He pointed out that the PPP needed to know what the budget entailed, as they would be answerable to the public. With the federal budget announcement scheduled for June 12, the PPP leadership is set to make strategic decisions regarding their stance on the budget and their alliance with the PML-N.

The PPP's dissatisfaction with the PML-N's approach to budget formulation underscores the tensions within the coalition government, raising questions about the unity and future collaboration between these major political parties.