Efforts to resolve Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) reservations over the federal budget gained momentum after a key meeting at the Presidency on Monday.
Sources privy to the development said both sides have reached broad agreement on most proposals, with consultations continuing on technical points.
An important meeting took place at the Presidential Palace to address concerns raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding the upcoming federal budget.
The session was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
RELATED: Budget 2026-27 date may shift again as June 12 proposed
Key federal ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, also participated in the meeting along with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.
PPP leaders, federal team in talks
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Naveed Qamar, and Sherry Rehman were also present in the discussions.
Sources said the talks focused on resolving differences over budget priorities and ensuring cooperation for its smooth approval in parliament.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately, where he reportedly raised the political situation in Azad Kashmir.
He emphasized that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.
Progress on budget proposals
According to sources, both the government and PPP have agreed on most of each other’s budget proposals.
However, some points still require technical consultation, which will be addressed through ongoing committee-level discussions.
Officials said both sides have agreed to give space to each other, keeping in view financial constraints and policy challenges.
Sources further added that the PPP has given the “green signal” for cooperation in passing the budget.
Budget timeline under review
Meanwhile, the federal government is once again reconsidering the timeline for the federal budget 2026–27.
June 12 has now emerged as a possible new date, although June 10 is still being considered as the working option.
Earlier, the budget date was shifted from June 5 to June 10 before the latest discussions pushed it further.
In parallel, the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) has been postponed until tomorrow.
Officials said preparations are underway to release the economic review of the outgoing fiscal year by tomorrow evening, despite the shifting schedule.
