Senate receives Finance Bill 2026 as PTI stages protest

The Senate on Friday formally received the Finance Bill 2026 and the Annual Budget Statement as the upper house began consideration of the federal budget amid protests by opposition members.

The Senate session commenced under the chairmanship of Yousaf Raza Gilani.

At the outset of the proceedings, the House offered prayers for former senator Taj Afridi, who recently died in a traffic accident. Senator Noor-ul-Haq Qadri led prayers for the deceased and sought forgiveness for him.

Opposition members were present in the House and lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began protesting soon after the session started.

During the proceedings, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb laid a copy of the Finance Bill 2026 before the Senate along with the Annual Budget Statement for the next fiscal year.

The finance minister also moved a motion seeking the Senate's recommendations on the Finance Bill 2026 for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

Chairman Senate Gilani directed members to submit their proposals and recommendations on the Finance Bill to the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance by Monday, June 15.

He informed the House that the Senate Standing Committee on Finance would review the budget proposals and present its recommendations and observations to the Senate by Friday, June 19.

The opposition leader did not attend the session.

After completing the day's agenda, the chair adjourned the Senate session until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, when further discussion on the federal budget and related matters is expected to continue.