ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on June 10, paving the way for deliberations on the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. New budget is being announced on the 12th of June (Friday).
According to an official notification, the National Assembly session will begin at 5pm at Parliament House. The president called the session under Article 54(1) of the Constitution. The notification described it as the 28th session of the 16th National Assembly.
In addition, the president summoned a Senate session at 4pm on the same day. Parliamentary sources said both sittings have been designated as budget sessions. However, the federal budget is now expected to be presented on June 12 instead of June 10.
A source in the National Assembly Secretariat said the sessions were convened to complete procedural requirements and ensure lawmakers are present ahead of the budget presentation.
Meanwhile, constitutional provisions regarding party discipline have gained attention. Under Article 63 of the Constitution, lawmakers may face disqualification if they vote or abstain from voting against party directives on key matters, including money bills such as the federal budget.
Last week, the government had announced June 10 as the date for presenting the budget. However, uncertainty emerged after repeated delays in the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the absence of the Economic Survey of Pakistan.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry indicated that the budget would likely be presented on June 12. He confirmed that summaries seeking approval for budget sessions had already been sent to the presidency.
The delay comes amid ongoing negotiations between the federal government and provinces over the Centre’s demand for additional fiscal resources. Despite these challenges, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party, have reached a broad agreement on the budget framework.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said both sides had achieved a complete understanding on development spending, while consultations on remaining budget issues would continue.
