PPP-govt budget meeting expected today at Presidency

An important meeting between the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the government on the development budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 is expected to take place at the President's House today, according to sources.

Sources said the meeting will be held tonight under the chairmanship of President Asif Ali Zardari. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also arrived in Islamabad from Gilgit-Baltistan on a special plane to join the discussions.

According to sources, Bilawal is expected to present the party's reservations regarding the federal budget during the meeting.

The PPP delegation will include Bilawal, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Raja Pervez Ashraf. The government side will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Sources said the Pakistan People's Party had already conveyed its concerns to the government during previous discussions. The party reportedly has no opposition to the introduction of new bills but has raised objections to existing tax policies.

According to sources, the PPP has expressed reservations over the repeated imposition of taxes on the same sectors and has also voiced serious concerns regarding federal expenditures.

The meeting is expected to focus on addressing these concerns and finding common ground ahead of final decisions on the development budget for the upcoming fiscal year.