Pakistan's ruling coalition moved closer to agreement on the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday, with the PPP signalling support after several of its proposals were accepted.
The meeting came as the government delayed the budget for a second time, with a new date expected to be announced soon.
The budget had originally been scheduled for June 5 before being moved to June 10.
What did the PPP and the government agree at Monday's meeting?
The government accepted several budget-related proposals put forward by the PPP at the consultation, prompting the party to express willingness to cooperate with the coalition on the budget.
The meeting at the Prime Minister's House was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP leaders Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman, and budget committee members from both the PPP and PML-N. Sharif congratulated Bilawal on the PPP's recent victory in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections during the session.
Why has the Pakistan federal budget been delayed?
The budget has been postponed twice, with coalition differences and outstanding issues with the IMF cited as key reasons for the delays.
The National Economic Council meeting linked to budget preparations has also been postponed multiple times. IMF approval is still awaited on proposals, including tax relief for the salaried class, adding further uncertainty to the timeline.
What did the Aiwan-e-Sadr meeting cover?
President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif held a separate high-level meeting at the presidency on Monday covering national security, economic priorities, the upcoming budget, and regional developments.
President Zardari stressed that the budget should prioritize public welfare, provincial rights, and economic stability. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the president on his recent visit to Iran and ongoing regional diplomatic engagements.
What was discussed on Pakistan-administered Kashmir?
Sharif and Bilawal held separate consultations on the political and administrative situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where political tensions have increased in recent months.
Bilawal briefed the prime minister on public sentiment and challenges facing the region. The federal government reiterated there would be no compromise on peace, stability, and the rule of law, while Bilawal urged that political challenges be addressed through democratic dialogue and parliamentary mechanisms.
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