Abdul Ghani

The inaugural meeting of Pakistan’s 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) was held on Wednesday at the Finance Division under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Mohammed Aurangzeb, marking the formal launch of deliberations on the country’s next fiscal distribution formula.

The session was attended by key provincial representatives, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, and Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani. Provincial finance secretaries and advisers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also present.

In his opening remarks, Senator Aurangzeb underscored the importance of cooperation and constructive dialogue in formulating a fair and sustainable NFC Award. He noted the fiscal pressures created by external shocks and natural disasters, and appreciated the provinces’ support in signing the National Fiscal Pact. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that the NFC process remains transparent, inclusive and constitutionally aligned.

Provincial representatives used the platform to outline their concerns and expectations. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed the need for consensus-building and strict adherence to constitutional mandates. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister called for an equitable share for the newly merged districts, urging clarity on allocations in line with constitutional provisions.

The meeting concluded with a key decision to establish a technical sub-group dedicated to examining fiscal arrangements for the former FATA/Newly Merged Districts. The sub-group has been tasked with preparing recommendations on their financial share by mid-January 2026.

Participants agreed to continue their discussions through a series of technical consultations, with the objective of developing a fair, sustainable and transparent NFC Award that promotes long-term fiscal stability and balanced national development.

Credit: INP-WealthPk