On Wednesday, prominent political and economic figures assembled at the Prime Minister’s House ahead of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting. Among the attendees were Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, both slated to engage in deliberations on national economic planning and development priorities.
Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah and Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal also arrived as preparations for the high-level session progressed. The NEC meeting is set to evaluate macroeconomic indicators, provincial development agendas, and fiscal coordination between the federation and the provinces.
In a significant development, the council will focus on harmonizing economic targets and reviewing ongoing development projects nationwide. The session comes amid continued consultations between federal and provincial authorities over fiscal priorities and spending allocations.
The annual budget for 2026–27 remains uncertain following multiple postponements of the NEC meeting, which is chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government is striving to reach consensus on development plans and broader economic strategies amid ongoing budget negotiations.
The NEC serves as a pivotal forum for approving the annual development framework, encompassing both federal and provincial spending plans. For the fiscal year 2026–27, the council is expected to assess a combined development budget of Rs4.715 trillion.
Officials indicate the meeting will also consider boosting the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) by approximately Rs200 billion, potentially increasing it from Rs1.126 trillion to nearly Rs1.326 trillion. This proposed adjustment signals the government’s effort to maintain infrastructure and development expenditures despite fiscal constraints.
Budget discussions and expenditure frameworks have been under negotiation since early June, with the schedule for the NEC meeting adjusted repeatedly as talks continue. The session will include all four provincial chief ministers, provincial finance ministers, and the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who will collectively review and approve development priorities ahead of the formal budget presentation.
