The Parliamentary Finance Committee has issued stark warnings of major challenges facing the 2026 federal budget, expecting a record financial deficit that could exceed $61 billion due to global energy market fluctuations.

The committee explained, in an exclusive interview with Dijla Point News, that there is a strict governmental directive to restructure public expenditures, which includes halting the funding of some non-urgent investment projects to prevent the deficit from worsening.

Lawmakers emphasized that protecting state employees' salaries and social welfare networks represents a red line and a top priority, to prevent living crises affecting vulnerable segments of society.