NEC meeting on budget approval postponed again
Council meeting to consider federal and provincial development plans for next fiscal year: PM to preside over meeting
The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, a key step in the approval process for Pakistan's annual budget, has been postponed once again and will now be held on Tuesday, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
According to sources, the session, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is expected to bring together the chief ministers of all four provinces to discuss and approve major economic and development priorities for the coming fiscal year.
Sources said the proposed national development budget for the next financial year will be presented for approval during the meeting.
The council will also review progress on development spending during the current fiscal year and examine plans for future public sector investments.
According to the agenda, participants will receive a detailed review of the development budget for the 2025-26 financial year, while presentations on provincial annual development plans will also be delivered.
The meeting is expected to consider both federal and provincial development budgets and approve key macroeconomic targets for the next fiscal year.
Presentations covering major social and economic indicators from the provinces are also included in the NEC meeting agenda.
Council members will review public sector investment plans for the 2026-27 financial year, alongside an assessment of investment performance during the current fiscal year.
The agenda further includes a progress report on the activities of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Reports on development schemes approved by both the CDWP and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) during the same period will also be presented.
In addition, the council will review monitoring and evaluation reports relating to major national development projects.
The federal minister for planning is scheduled to deliver an opening presentation outlining the government's development strategy and economic priorities.
Reporter: Awais Kiani