Shehbaz Bilawal Budget Meeting: PM Urges Strong Centre-Province Ties

PPP & PML-N – (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a key Shehbaz Bilawal budget meeting at the Prime Minister Office on Wednesday to iron out differences over the federal budget for FY2026-27.

The two leaders discussed the federal budget, development projects, and the overall regional situation. PM Shehbaz stressed that strong coordination between the Centre and the provinces was essential for economic growth and national progress.

PPP had earlier raised concerns about certain budget figures. The party told Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar that it had agreed to support defence-related grants given the current security situation but had not endorsed allocations it viewed as politically motivated.

Bilawal had also deferred his National Assembly budget speech pending a formal response from the government on the party’s reservations. He was expected to address the House once those concerns were properly addressed.

Both leaders agreed that ongoing collaboration between federal and provincial institutions was key to completing development projects on time and improving public services for citizens.

Bilawal thanked PM Shehbaz for his support in the government formation process in Gilgit-Baltistan. He also praised the prime minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic role in promoting peace amid the Middle East situation.

The meeting also reviewed progress on federal development projects in Sindh and explored ways to further strengthen ties between the federation and the provinces.

Senior leaders from both sides attended, including DPM Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema. PPP was represented by Senator Sherry Rehman and MNA Syed Naveed Qamar.