'Nation given utmost priority' in upcoming budget: PM Shehbaz

As all eyes are set on the federal government as it unveils the budget for the next financial year 2026-27, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised that the welfare and prosperity of Pakistan’s great nation have been given utmost priority.

In a post on social media X, the PM wrote that the budget was prepared with great diligence and sincerity.

Later, while addressing the federal cabinet, the PM highlighted that inflation had declined to single digits from 38% over the past two years, before increasing slightly due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

He said that the policy rate had also dipped to 11pc from 22.5pc during the period, but had to be raised due to the impacts of the US-Iran war.

“Today, we are presenting the third budget of our government.

“I believe that no nation can handle its matters, let alone make progress, if its security is not strong,” the premier said.

He acknowledged that, despite the government’s best efforts,it had to impose taxes in the past two budgets due to the “national and IMF requirements so that the economy could be stabilised and the avenues for progress could be expanded.

The budget will be tabled at the National Assembly today by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The upcoming budget is expected to outline the government’s fiscal priorities, revenue measures and expenditure plans for FY27 amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy and sustain growth.

On Thursday, the government unveiled the Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) for FY2025-26, according to which GDP growth was recorded at 3.7% in the outgoing fiscal year.