ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb formally presented the Federal Budget 2026-27 in the National Assembly on Friday after the session commenced nearly two hours behind schedule.
The sitting, presided over by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, witnessed noisy protests from opposition lawmakers as the finance minister outlined the government’s fiscal priorities and economic strategy for the coming year. Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet approved the budget proposals during a meeting held at Parliament House, clearing the way for their presentation in the lower house.
PM Holds Consultations with Coalition Allies
Ahead of the budget speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met leaders of coalition partners, including a delegation from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
During the meeting, the prime minister described MQM-P as a key ally of the ruling coalition and acknowledged its support for the government’s efforts to promote economic stability, development projects and public welfare initiatives. The consultations were part of the government’s strategy to maintain coalition unity ahead of the crucial budget announcement.
Bilawal Joins Budget Session
Despite earlier reports suggesting he would not attend, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari participated in the National Assembly’s budget session.
The PPP clarified that it was not boycotting the proceedings and stated that its lawmakers would take part in the budget debate in the national interest. Before the finance minister’s speech, PPP members staged a protest over Sindh’s water shortage, calling for the province to receive its constitutionally mandated share.
The party had also held talks with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership to address concerns related to the federal budget and other political matters.
