ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Alliance News): The federal government is once again considering rescheduling the presentation of the annual budget for fiscal year 2025-26, potentially shifting it to June 12 or 13 instead of the previously announced June 10, sources revealed on Tuesday.
The possible change is due to overlapping events, including Eid-ul-Adha holidays and key economic meetings. According to insiders, Eid holidays are expected on June 7 and 8, with the third day also likely to be observed as a public holiday.
However, the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting and the release of the Economic Survey are scheduled around the same period, requiring a working day.
Finance Ministry officials said it would be difficult to hold both the NEC meeting and release the Economic Survey on the same day.
Traditionally, a gap of at least two days is maintained between the NEC meeting and the federal budget presentation to incorporate finalized development projects into the budget.
The NEC meeting, expected to bring together the Chief Ministers of all four provinces, along with the leaders of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will focus on finalizing the Annual Development Programme (ADP). A final decision on whether to move the budget date is expected soon.
Notably, this would be the second change in the budget date this year.
However, in an informal interaction with journalists, Federal Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal insisted the federal budget will be presented on June 10 as planned.
He suggested the date for the NEC meeting could be revised instead, while the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) meeting date is yet to be finalized.
Bosal also confirmed that virtual discussions between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are set to resume today, with talks focused on providing relief to the salaried class and the industrial sector.
He clarified that the upcoming budget will align with IMF guidelines and will include discussions on targets and potential policy measures.
