Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the federal government are set to hold an important consultation meeting today on the upcoming federal budget, with President Asif Ali Zardari leading the PPP delegation. The meeting is expected to play a key role in finalising development priorities and resolving outstanding issues related to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
According to sources, the discussions between PPP leaders and government representatives will primarily focus on the allocation and finalisation of development funds for the next fiscal year. The consultation is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure political consensus on the federal budget before its formal presentation in parliament.
The PPP delegation will include party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, senior leader Naveed Qamar, and former federal minister Sherry Rehman. On the government side, the delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other senior officials will also participate in the meeting.
Officials familiar with the matter say that both sides are expected to review ongoing and proposed development projects, particularly those related to Sindh and major urban centres such as Karachi. Development financing, infrastructure priorities, and resource distribution are likely to be key points of discussion.
Sources indicate that the government is keen to secure PPP’s support on budgetary proposals to ensure smooth passage of the finance bill in parliament. The PPP, being a major coalition partner, is expected to push for increased development funding for Sindh, along with continuity of ongoing projects.
The meeting comes at a time when preparations for the federal budget for fiscal year 2026–27 are in their final stages. According to reports, the budget is expected to be presented on June 10. Policymakers are currently working on aligning fiscal targets with revenue expectations and development priorities.
Economic experts note that consultations with coalition partners have become an essential part of the budget-making process in Pakistan’s political system, as coalition governments require consensus-building to avoid delays or political friction during budget approval.
The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to influence the final shape of the development budget and may also determine funding allocations for key infrastructure and public welfare projects across provinces.
As budget negotiations continue, both sides are expected to emphasise fiscal discipline while also addressing political and regional development concerns ahead of the upcoming financial year.
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