Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday presented the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in the National Assembly of Pakistan as opposition lawmakers disrupted proceedings with loud chants and slogans.
“Mr Speaker, it is a matter of great honor for me to present our government’s third budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 before this august House,” Aurangzeb said while opening his budget speech.
The finance minister said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had reached a defence agreement that marked a strategic partnership between the two countries.
He said the budget was being presented at a time when Pakistan had strengthened its international standing and emerged as a country “whose voice is heard and whose friendship is desired.”
Aurangzeb also highlighted the contribution of Pakistan’s defence industry, saying it had become a source of valuable foreign exchange earnings and demonstrated how a strong defence sector could support economic development.
Referring to recent tensions with India, he said Pakistan had responded firmly to what he described as Indian aggression and that Operation Bunyanum Marsoos had been a major success.
The minister further claimed that Pakistan had achieved significant diplomatic gains in recent months, including helping bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table in an effort to ease regional tensions.