Shehbaz woos Bilawal on budget backing

ISLAMABAD:

Seeking to maintain the backing of a crucial coalition partner, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to discuss and ease his party's reservations about the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

The meeting came after the PPP chairman reportedly indicated that he would not speak during the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly unless all of the party's reservations were addressed. Bhutto-Zardari appeared upset with the budget, stating that it was different from the document shared with the PPP.

During Wednesday's meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed matters of national importance, the federal budget, development projects and the prevailing regional situation with Bhutto-Zardari.

The PPP chairman was accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman and Member of the National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar during the meeting held at the Prime Minister's House, a news release said.

The PPP chairman paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan's diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting global peace in the context of the evolving situation in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also exchanged views on political developments and issues of mutual interest concerning the country.

The meeting reviewed the progress of development projects being implemented by the federal government in Sindh and discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation between the federation and the provinces.

During the discussion on the federal budget, the prime minister underscored that effective coordination and close cooperation between the federal and provincial governments were indispensable for national development and economic progress.

Both leaders agreed that sustained collaboration between the federal and provincial institutions was essential for the timely completion of projects of national importance and for ensuring better public services and facilities for citizens.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thanked the prime minister for his support in the process of government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema were also present during the meeting.