PPP Delegation Meets PM Shehbaz Sharif on Budget

A significant meeting recently took place in Islamabad between a delegation from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to deliberate on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25. The delegation, comprising key figures like former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, engaged in discussions regarding the country's political landscape and the impending budget. Noteworthy government officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal were also present at the meeting. The support of the PPP holds vital importance in the budget approval process, given their status as an ally of the ruling PML-N government.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored that the budget for the next fiscal year will prioritize enhancing facilities for foreign investors and the business community. In the inaugural session of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC), the prime minister underscored the government's dedication to collaborating with economic experts and the private sector to formulate economic policies and enact reforms.

In a separate development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government disclosed a budget of Rs1,754 billion for the financial year 2024-25. The budget outlines total expenditures amounting to Rs.1,654 billion, indicating a surplus exceeding Rs.100 billion. The Provincial Minister for Finance, Aftab Alam, presented the budget in the provincial assembly. Notably, the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa departed from tradition by revealing its annual budget ahead of the federal government.

As per the budget estimates, the provincial government anticipates receiving a substantial sum of Rs.1212 billion from the federal government, with its own provincial receipts forecasted at Rs.93 billion and an additional Rs.31 billion from other sources.

The recent meetings and budget unveilings in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa signify crucial steps in shaping the economic landscape of Pakistan for the upcoming fiscal year. The emphasis on collaboration between political parties and government officials highlights a concerted effort towards economic growth and stability. These developments aim to provide clarity and transparency in financial matters, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Pakistan.