The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting initially planned for Wednesday under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership has been postponed. This development coincides with growing uncertainty regarding the schedule for presenting the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Earlier expectations had set the budget presentation for June 5, but this date now appears unlikely. Authorities are reportedly deliberating between June 8 and June 12 as potential alternatives, with no final decision reached yet.
The NEC gathering was intended to review and approve both federal and provincial development programs for the upcoming fiscal year. It was also expected to finalize critical spending priorities ahead of the budget announcement.
The council was set to examine a combined federal and provincial development outlay amounting to Rs4.715 trillion for FY2026-27. Notably, the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation was anticipated to increase by Rs200 billion, raising the proposed budget from Rs1.126 trillion to approximately Rs1.326 trillion.
Key attendees were to include the chief ministers of all four provinces, provincial finance ministers, and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
No official explanation has been provided for the postponement, nor has a new date for the NEC meeting been announced. Meanwhile, the government continues consultations concerning the upcoming budget and development expenditure plans for the next fiscal year.
