The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) held a parliamentary party meeting under the chairmanship of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ahead of the federal budget session, where members discussed the budget, negotiations with the government and the party's parliamentary strategy.
The PPP parliamentary party meeting concluded after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari briefed members on the federal budget and recent discussions with the government, according to sources.
Sources said Bilawal took party lawmakers into confidence regarding the proposed Budget 2026-27 and informed them about ongoing negotiations with the ruling coalition.
Bilawal to skip budget session
Sources said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will not attend the budget session.
A PPP spokesperson later confirmed that Bilawal would not be present during the budget proceedings. However, the spokesperson clarified that some PPP lawmakers would attend the session and that the party had not decided to boycott the budget proceedings.
The spokesperson added that the PPP would continue to participate in the budget process in the national interest.
PPP refuses to take responsibility for quorum
According to sources, the PPP parliamentary party decided not to take responsibility for ensuring quorum during the budget session.
Party members reportedly maintained that maintaining quorum is the responsibility of the government, not its coalition partners.
“If the government is presenting the budget, it should also ensure the attendance of its own members,” PPP lawmakers were quoted as saying during discussions.
Sources added that PPP members criticized the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), claiming that the party frequently struggles to maintain quorum in parliament.
“PML-N is the government, therefore it must bind its members and ensure attendance,” PPP members reportedly said.
The party also reiterated that securing the required numbers for budget approval remains the government's responsibility.
Instructions for PPP lawmakers
Despite refusing to take responsibility for quorum, Bilawal Bhutto instructed PPP lawmakers to remain present in parliament during the budget session, sources said.
The move signals that the party intends to remain engaged in the legislative process while distancing itself from responsibility for managing government attendance.
PPP leader Shazia Marri expressed regret over what she described as the behavior of the PML-N. She said Bilawal Bhutto would also convey his disappointment by not attending the budget session.
Govt moves to address PPP concerns
Meanwhile, efforts continued to resolve reservations raised by the PPP leadership. A delegation of the PML-N met with Bilawal Bhutto in his parliamentary chamber.
Senior leaders Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ishaq Dar, Mohsin Naqvi, and Talal Chaudhry were present in Bilawal's chamber as part of the government's efforts to address the party's concerns and improve coordination ahead of the budget process.
During the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto also commented on the recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections. “We will not allow the results of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections to be snatched away. Inshallah, they will not succeed,” Bilawal said, according to sources.
He added that he would answer questions and discuss all relevant issues during a press conference on the federal budget.
