Pakistan, June 11 -- Things are not in control. Not at all. In the cautious calm following a very proud unveiling of Budget 2025-6 by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb (seemingly oblivious to opposition sloganeering) one hears not a breakthrough; rather, the making of another storm. A pause that feels meticulously rehearsed. While the government may defend its policies as "prudent" and experts offer the tried-and-tested "safe," the public, already burdened by inflation, unemployment, and collapsing services, rightly questions: stability for what purpose?

Pakistan's latest federal budget offers the illusion of control: an ambitious 4.2% growth target, a trimmed Rs17.57 trillion outlay, and a primary surplus to appease IMF condit...