NEC to consider PKR 4.46 Trillion national development plan ahead of FY27 budget

Pakistan’s National Economic Council (NEC) is expected to review a PKR 4.464 trillion national development budget for the next fiscal year at a meeting scheduled for Monday, according to finance ministry sources.

The meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is expected to examine federal and provincial development spending plans ahead of the announcement of the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

Sources said the federal government is likely to propose a development budget of PKR 1.320 trillion, while provincial development programs are expected to total PKR 3.138 trillion.

The proposed provincial allocations include PKR 1.450 trillion for Punjab, PKR 816 billion for Sindh, PKR 564 billion for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PKR 308 billion for Balochistan, the sources said.

The NEC, Pakistan’s highest constitutional body for economic planning and development, is expected to review and endorse key macroeconomic and development priorities for the coming fiscal year.

Sources said all four provincial chief ministers and provincial finance ministers are expected to attend the meeting. The prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also expected to participate.

The meeting comes as the government prepares to unveil its fiscal year 2026-27 budget, with development spending expected to focus on infrastructure, energy, water resources and social-sector projects aimed at supporting economic growth and employment.

The NEC’s recommendations will help shape both federal and provincial development programs for the upcoming fiscal year.

Finance ministry sources said the final allocations could be adjusted before receiving formal approval from the council.