Islamabad, 11 June 2025: Journalists Stage Walkout during the federal finance minister’s post-budget press briefing on Friday, in protest over the absence of a technical explanation by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regarding key aspects of the Finance Bill.
The unexpected walkout unfolded shortly after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb began addressing the media. Reporters raised concerns that vital tax-related details were being withheld, prompting a visible display of discontent.
Several journalists accused officials of deliberately avoiding transparency on new and revised taxation measures introduced in the fiscal package.
The protest was rooted in the absence of a technical briefing typically provided by FBR experts a standard protocol in past budget cycles that allows journalists to accurately interpret complex fiscal changes.
READ MORE: https://bloompakistan.com/income-tax-calculator-2025-26/
Efforts by the finance minister and senior government representatives to pacify the journalists proved unsuccessful, as members of the press corps exited the venue in unison, chanting slogans about media rights and the need for fiscal openness.
Observers noted that the lack of an FBR-led breakdown not only hindered media scrutiny but also raised broader questions about government accountability in budgetary communications.
Journalists Stage Walkout became a trending headline across local media outlets, reflecting broader frustrations within the press community about the growing trend of limited access to critical policy explanations especially when they directly affect the public’s economic burden.
READ MORE: Budget 2025-26: Govt Announces Final Date
The Ministry of Finance has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the incident or clarifying whether a delayed technical session will be arranged.
