Opposition rejects govt's 'worse' budget Bilawal says budget brought nation on same page against govt; Country needs a new mandate now: Asif.

Islamabad -- The Opposition parties on Sunday announced they 'completely reject' the federal government's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and to demand that Prime Minister Imran Khan step down.

'The opposition leaders have unanimously declined and rejected the budget and will take all measures possible to protest against it,' said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto.

'We were expecting that the government would provide some sort of relief at a time of crisis, but to the contrary, the government has increased the burden on the public,' said the PPP chairman.

The announcement, made during a press conference in Islamabad, comes ahead of Monday's crucial voting in the National Assembly to pass the federal budget. Speaking alongside PML-N's Khawaja Asif and Jamaat-i-Islami's Mian Aslam, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the 'united opposition' has rejected the government's budget and has issued a joint statement in this regard.

The PPP, PML-N, JI, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party-Mengal, National Party, Qaumi Watan Party and some of our independent friends in the National Assembly have rejected this budget, he said. 'This budget has united the people against the government. We had thought that the budget would help protect the people's economic rights. Instead of doing that, it has added to their burden.'

The PPP chairman added that the government's unexpected decision to increase the prices of all petroleum products by up to nearly Rs26, was an 'excellent example of this government's hypocrisy'. Responding to a question, Bilawal said that the opposition had played a 'responsible role' so far. 'When the pandemic hit, we said we will keep partisan issues aside and fight it together.

'Three to four months have passed and this is still our stance, but the prime minister has not taken this seriously. Before the pandemic, he was a threat to our democracy and economy. Now, he is a threat to people's lives and their economic prosperity.'

Bilawal also said that Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif was in contact with all parties despite having the coronavirus. He said that an All Parties Conference will be announced as soon as Shehbaz recovers.The government has imposed a tax on petrol, before the passing of the budget, which is even more than the rate of petrol itself, Bilawal said.

'There has been an absolute failure on the government's part to secure our lives and protect our...