Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underscored the necessity of robust cooperation between the federal government and provincial administrations as preparations advance for the federal budget of fiscal year 2026-27. He conveyed these views during a meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who has postponed his budget speech due to reservations about certain fiscal aspects.
Bilawal is expected to finalize the timing and content of his address following a comprehensive briefing from party leadership. The PPP has expressed concerns regarding alterations in budgetary figures presented in the upcoming budget, which were discussed in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The PPP delegation informed DPM Dar that while they support defense-related grants considering the security context, they have not approved allocations that might be interpreted as politically motivated.
In a significant development at the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz and Bilawal deliberated on key national issues, including the federal budget, ongoing development initiatives, and the current regional dynamics. The prime minister emphasized that effective coordination and close collaboration between federal and provincial governments are critical for national development and economic advancement.
Both leaders concurred that continuous cooperation between federal and provincial bodies is vital for the timely execution of projects and the enhancement of public services and infrastructure. Bilawal expressed gratitude to the prime minister for his support during the government formation process in Gilgit-Baltistan and commended the diplomatic efforts of PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in promoting global peace amid the evolving Middle East situation.
The meeting also included a review of progress on development projects being carried out by the federal government in Sindh, along with discussions on strengthening federal-provincial ties. Accompanying Bilawal were Senator Sherry Rehman and MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, while the federal side included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema.
