Pakistani parliamentarians from multiple parties convened to push for reforms to the National Finance Commission formula, arguing that current resource distribution relies too heavily on population metrics. Senator Sherry Rehman warned that Pakistan's projected population of 390 million by 2050 poses economic and social risks, citing malnutrition rates and poverty levels, and called for removal of the contraceptive tax as part of a broader population stabilization strategy.

ISLAMABAD: A PPP delegation, led by party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, expressed its reservations related to taxes during a pre-budget meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, sources told Dawn . The meeting was held at the Zardari House in Islamabad, an official statement by the PPP said, adding that apart from Bilawal, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Murad Ali Shah and Jam Khan Shoro were also present. “Matters related to the budget were discussed during the meeting,” it said.