The federal government has revised the schedule for the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, with the presentation now expected on June 10 instead of June 5.  The change comes amid ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and broader budgetary matters. Sources further said that the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, which was scheduled for today under the chairmanship of Prime  Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has also been postponed.

The meeting was expected to approve federal and provincial development programmes. Earlier, the federal government had proposed a development budget exceeding Rs1.1 trillion for the upcoming financial year 2026–27, according to official budget documents outlining sector-wise allocations. As per the documents, Rs754.9 billion has been earmarked for development spending by federal ministries. 

Among major allocations, the Ministry of Water Resources is proposed to receive Rs179 billion, while Rs72 billion has been allocated under the Cabinet Division for development schemes linked to members of parliament. The Ministry of Defence has been allocated Rs11 billion for development projects, whereas Rs1.1 billion has been set aside for the Ministry of Defence Production. The Board of Investment is expected to receive Rs805 million, while the Ministry of Climate Change has been allocated Rs2.78 billion under the proposed plan. 

For other sectors, Rs16 billion has been proposed for the Ministry of Interior and Rs20 billion for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications. Education-related allocations include Rs36 billion for the Federal Education Ministry and Rs4 billion for the Ministry of Information. The Higher Education Commission is expected to receive Rs41.19 billion for development projects.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)