President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the President House to discuss the upcoming federal budget for FY2026-27, which is scheduled to be presented on June 10.

During the meeting, the president emphasised that the budget should prioritise public welfare, protect provincial rights and support economic stability.He also directed that economic growth targets should be aligned with programmes that provide direct relief and benefits to the public.The discussion formed part of ongoing consultations among coalition partners before the budget announcement.

Besides budget matters, participants reviewed national security issues, the internal and regional situation, law and order, the economy, the recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections and developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the president on his recent visit to Iran and related diplomatic engagements.

The meeting was attended by several senior government and political figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other leaders from both the federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party.The meeting took place amid discussions over fiscal measures linked to Pakistan's commitments with the IMF.According to reports, the IMF has asked for additional revenue measures from both the federal and provincial governments.Earlier, a PPP delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised concerns about new taxes during a pre-budget meeting with Ishaq Dar.PPP leaders argued against imposing further tax burdens on existing taxpayers and called for broadening the tax base instead.Dar reportedly assured the delegation that their proposals would be considered in the final budget.