Centre, provinces made decisions in Pakistan's best interest, PM says

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan's federal government and its provinces collaborated seriously to make decisions benefiting the nation. He addressed the National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday, the federation's highest economic decision-making body, as it finalized development plans for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2026-27) ahead of the budget presentation.

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The Centre held consultations with the provinces on all matters with extreme seriousness, and we made decisions in the best interest of Pakistan

"The Centre held consultations with the provinces on all matters with extreme seriousness, and we made decisions in the best interest of Pakistan," Sharif stated in remarks broadcast on television. He thanked the chief ministers for their "consultations and assistance on all matters," noting that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was absent due to a recent medical procedure.

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Advancing employment, production, exports and economic activity is our collective responsibility

Sharif described Pakistan's economy as macroeconomically stable despite significant challenges, emphasizing the crucial process of injecting growth. "Advancing employment, production, exports and economic activity is our collective responsibility," he said. He acknowledged the difficulties faced in adhering to the IMF program but praised the cooperation between the center and provinces, especially in managing the impact of surging global oil prices.

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It was not possible that the Centre and provinces could have dealt with the difficult period without cooperating with each other

He specifically credited "mutual unity" and "teamwork" for preventing fuel shortages and long queues following the Middle East conflict. "It was the result of our sense of understanding and our teamwork that there were no lines at petrol stations and we made our best efforts to fulfil the expectations of the public," Sharif added. The NEC reviewed federal and provincial development plans totaling Rs4.715 trillion for the next fiscal year.

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It was the result of our sense of understanding and our teamwork that there were no lines at petrol stations and we made our best efforts to fulfil the expectations of the public