Pakistan Budget Likely to Be Announced June 12 Amid Centre-Province Fiscal Disputes
Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister announced the federal budget for FY2026-27 will likely be presented on June 12, with budget sessions scheduled for June 10. The announcement comes after the government and its coalition partner PPP reached consensus on the budget framework, though significant disputes persist between the federal government and provinces over financial allocations. The delay reflects ongoing tensions over the Centre's demand for over Rs1 trillion for strategic needs and its refusal to increase provincial shares under the NFC Award.
Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on Tuesday that the federal budget for FY2026-27 would likely be presented in parliament on June 12, with budget sessions summoned for June 10 in both the National Assembly and Senate. The announcement follows the PML-N-led government and its major ally PPP reaching consensus on the budget's broad framework during talks chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari. However, significant obstacles remain, particularly disputes between the federal government and provincial governments over financial allocations. The Centre has demanded that provincial shares under the NFC Award be frozen at current levels, with any surplus returned to the federal government—a demand provinces argue would push their budgets into deficit. The National Economic Council meeting, which must approve the budget framework, has been postponed three times, with provincial officials warning that consensus appears distant and there is "no way forward in sight."
What different sources said
- DawnCenter
Budget likely to be announced on June 12, says minister
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