A high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to take place today as the government seeks to address the Pakistan Peoples Party’s concerns ahead of the Federal Budget 2026-27, according to sources.
Sources told ProPakistani that the meeting will be held at Aiwan e Sadr and is expected to focus on budget-related issues as well as broader matters concerning cooperation between the coalition partners.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while senior officials from the Ministry of Finance are also expected to participate in the discussions.
The PPP delegation is expected to include Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, senior party leader Naveed Qamar, and Senator Sherry Rehman, according to sources.
The meeting comes at a critical stage in the budget-making process, with reports of differences between the government and the PPP over a number of fiscal proposals and spending priorities. Sources said both sides will attempt to bridge those differences before the federal budget is presented.
The discussions are expected to cover the PPP’s demands regarding salaries, pensions, minimum wage, taxation, and other economic matters that have emerged during consultations on the upcoming budget.
According to sources, the government is keen to secure the support of its coalition partner before finalizing key budget measures, making today’s meeting one of the most important political consultations ahead of the budget announcement. The outcome of the talks could play a significant role in shaping the final budget package and determining the level of consensus within the ruling coalition as Pakistan prepares to unveil its economic roadmap for the next fiscal year.
