The MQM is an important coalition partner and its role in promoting economic stability and public welfare is recognized, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz met the MQM delegation. PHOTO:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Islamabad, where discussions were held on the upcoming federal budget and the overall political and economic situation in the country, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The delegation was led by MQM convener and Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. It also included Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal and MP R. Javed Hanif, Farooq Sattar and Aminul Haque.
Senior cabinet members, including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah, were also present.
The meeting focused on the 2026-2027 federal budget, which is expected to be presented soon.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in its statement, described the MQM as an important coalition partner and said its role in promoting economic stability and public welfare was recognized at the meeting.
Today’s date: January 12, 2026
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کے وفد کی ملاقات ہوئی
وفد کی قیادت اور وزیر برائے وفاقی تعلیم و پیشہ ورانہ تربیت ڈاکٹر خالد مقبول صدیقی نے کی. وفد میں وزیر برائے قومی صحت سید مصطفیٰ کمال اور ارکین قومی اسمبلی… pic.twitter.com/cktThKvveX
– Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) June 12, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government’s cooperation with the MQM would continue in the same spirit for national interest and public service.
Read: The government will unveil a budget of Rs17.5tr
The government is set to unveil a massive consolidated budget of 17.5 trillion rupees (around $61 billion) for the 2026-27 financial year on Friday (today) to meet the International Monetary Fund’s strict austerity conditions. The framework sets an ambitious Federal Board of Revenue tax target of Rs 15,267 billion and targets GDP growth of 4.1%.
The high-stakes spending plan balances fiscal tightening and IMF structural guidelines while introducing relief measures for poorer citizens and modest pay increases for civil servants.
The budget comes as much of the population continues to feel the effects of the war between Iran and the United States, with no sign that the conflict is easing.
The government will propose measures to increase revenue and reduce spending while protecting the country’s poorest.
Under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to meet austerity conditions, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will present to the National Assembly a delayed 17.5 trillion rupee ($61 billion) spending plan for the fiscal year starting next month.
