President Zardari, PM Shehbaz discuss budget, security, regional situation

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss national security, the upcoming federal budget, the regional situation, and other matters of national importance.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

According to an official statement, the participants reviewed the country’s economic situation, budget proposals for the next fiscal year, the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as law and order issues.

Discussing budget proposals and public relief measures, President Zardari stressed the need to prioritise public welfare, provincial rights and economic stability in the federal budget.

The president also emphasised the importance of aligning economic growth objectives with social welfare initiatives in the upcoming budget to maximise public benefit.

During the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the president on his recent visit to Iran and ongoing regional diplomatic engagements.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Peoples Party leaders Senator Sherry Rehman, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Senator Ahad Cheema.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Faisal Rathore, and former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also participated in the discussions.

The meeting comes days before the federal government is scheduled to unveil the budget for fiscal year 2026-27.