The Pakistan Peoples Party has raised reservations over the federal budget 2026, prompting a series of meetings between government and PPP delegations led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
According to sources, the PPP questioned changes in budget figures and asked the government to explain why the numbers in the budget booklet differ from the figures earlier shared with the party.
A government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held an important meeting with the PPP delegation in Islamabad.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani was also part of the government delegation. The PPP delegation included Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman.
PPP questions changes in budget figures
During the meeting, the PPP raised the issue of changes in the federal budget figures before Ishaq Dar. According to sources, PPP leaders took the position that the party had supported grants only for the defence budget.
The delegation asked the government to clarify why the figures mentioned in the budget booklet were different from the numbers provided to the PPP earlier.
Dar assures of redressal
Deputy Prime Minister Dar assured the PPP delegation that its reservations would be removed. The meeting between the government and PPP delegations later concluded.
Sources said consultations between the ruling coalition partners are continuing to resolve the concerns over the budget.
After meeting Ishaq Dar, Sherry Rehman and Naveed Qamar went to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s chamber. The PPP delegation briefed the party chairman about its discussion with the government delegation.
Later, a two-member government delegation led by Dar also reached Bilawal Bhutto’s chamber.
Dar briefs Bilawal on budget figures
Ishaq Dar briefed Bilawal about the federal budget figures. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani was also present during the meeting.
Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman were also part of the discussion held in Bilawal Bhutto’s chamber. After the meeting, Ishaq Dar left Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s chamber.
Consultations among allies continue
Speaking on the matter, PPP's Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the consultation process between coalition allies is ongoing. He said it was not yet known whether Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would attend the Geneva peace agreement ceremony.
The latest consultations come as the government seeks to address PPP’s concerns and maintain consensus among coalition partners over the federal budget.
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