ISLAMABAD (MNN); President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized that the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 should be designed around public welfare, protection of provincial rights, and sustainable economic stability, according to a statement issued by the Presidency following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
The meeting took place at the President House as part of ongoing consultations among coalition partners ahead of the federal government’s budget announcement scheduled for June 10.
According to the official statement, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz reviewed key budget proposals and discussed measures aimed at providing relief to the public amid prevailing economic challenges.
During the discussion, the president stressed that the upcoming budget must prioritize citizens’ welfare while safeguarding the constitutional rights of provinces and maintaining economic stability. He also directed policymakers to ensure that economic growth targets are aligned with public welfare programmes so that the benefits of development directly reach ordinary citizens.
The meeting also included detailed discussions on national security and the evolving internal and regional situation. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed participants on his recent visit to Iran and ongoing diplomatic engagements in the region.
Besides the federal budget, participants reviewed the country’s economic outlook, recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, law and order issues, and other matters of national significance.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.
Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leaders also participated in the consultations, including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Faisal Rathore, and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
Other participants included Senator Sherry Rehman, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and Senator Ahad Cheema.
The meeting comes amid ongoing discussions between the government and its coalition partners regarding taxation measures and economic reforms proposed for the upcoming fiscal year.
A day earlier, a Pakistan Peoples Party delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised concerns about proposed taxation measures during a pre-budget consultation with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
During that meeting, Dar assured the PPP leadership that its recommendations would be considered and incorporated into the budget-making process.
According to reports, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the federal government to introduce approximately Rs430 billion in additional fiscal measures in the new budget, while the four provinces are expected to generate a similar amount through their own revenue initiatives.
In this context, PPP leaders sought details from the government on possible strategies for provinces to increase tax collection without placing additional burdens on already taxed segments of society.
PPP representatives also opposed the imposition of new taxes, arguing that inflation-weary citizens require relief rather than additional financial pressure. They urged the government to expand the tax base by bringing more sectors into the tax net instead of relying repeatedly on existing taxpayers.
The consultations are expected to continue until the formal presentation of the federal budget, which the government hopes will balance fiscal requirements, IMF commitments, economic growth, and public relief measures.
