A delegation-level meeting between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took place on Sunday to address reservations and concerns regarding the upcoming federal budget. The PPP delegation included Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman, while the government team was led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. According to sources, the talks focused on the PPP’s concerns over budget proposals, development allocations, and taxation measures.
Upcoming Leadership-Level Meeting
A leadership-level meeting on the budget is also scheduled to be held at the Presidency later in the day. President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are expected to attend the session, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also likely to participate. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal are expected to attend the meeting as well.
PPP's Demands and Concerns
PPP representatives are set to present their reservations and urge the government to implement commitments made under the budget agreement between the two sides. According to party sources, the PPP has repeatedly sought detailed budget documents, including information on proposed taxes and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), but claims the details have not yet been shared. The party has also expressed concerns over development projects proposed by the PPP that it says have not been included in the PSDP.
Future Course of Action
PPP sources said the party wants full implementation of the budget agreement and will decide its future course of action if its concerns are not addressed.
