Sharmila Faruqui has strongly criticized the Federal Budget 2026–27, warning that it could push the country toward deeper economic challenges instead of providing meaningful relief to citizens.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said the budget fails to address the needs of the country’s young population, despite youth making up a major portion of Pakistan’s demographic landscape. She pointed out that with nearly 163 million young people in the country, the government has allocated only Rs. 5 billion for youth development, which translates to roughly Rs. 32 per person.
Calling the allocation highly insufficient, she argued that such a small amount reflects a lack of serious commitment toward empowering the younger generation through education, skills development, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
Faruqui also used a striking comparison to highlight her concerns, stating that even a basic samosa in Islamabad now costs around Rs. 40, making the per-youth allocation even lower than the price of a common snack. She said this comparison reflects how little importance the government appears to be placing on the future of Pakistan’s youth.
She further stressed that without substantial investment in young people, the country risks missing out on its demographic dividend and could face greater economic instability in the years ahead. According to her, the budget should have focused more on long-term youth empowerment rather than short-term fiscal measures.
