Government decides to summon National Assembly and Senate sessions ahead of budget

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to convene sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate, with a formal summary sent to the President for approval, according to sources.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that a summary has been sent to the President for convening sessions of both houses of Parliament.

He said, “A summary has been sent to summon the National Assembly and Senate sessions.” He added that the National Assembly is proposed to meet on June 10 at 5pm, while a separate summary has been forwarded for the Senate session at 4pm the same day.

He further said that the federal budget is likely to be presented on June 12. In indirect remarks, he indicated that the government had moved the proposals for parliamentary sittings in line with the budget schedule, adding that the sessions are expected to be held ahead of the annual financial announcement.

The move comes ahead of the federal budget, which is now expected to be presented on June 12, government sources added. Officials said the parliamentary sittings are being scheduled in line with constitutional requirements ahead of the budget announcement, allowing lawmakers to review key legislative and fiscal matters.

Further details regarding the agenda of both sessions are expected to be issued after presidential approval of the summary.

Budget uncertainty persists as NEC meeting delayed again

Uncertainty surrounding the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 has increased after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting was postponed once again. The NEC, the country’s top economic planning body, is now expected to meet on Wednesday to approve federal and provincial development programmes before the budget is presented in parliament.

The delay comes amid ongoing government consultations on fiscal priorities and development spending. The NEC meeting was previously deferred after discussions chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif failed to finalise the budget framework.

Officials said the council is expected to review a Rs4.715 trillion development outlay for FY2026-27, along with a proposed Rs200 billion increase in the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), raising it to about Rs1.326 trillion.