PM Shehbaz, Bilawal agree on close federal-provincial coordination for projects of national importance

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday agreed to maintain close collaboration between federal and provincial institutions to ensure the success of projects of national importance.

This is the first meeting between the Prime Minister and the PPP chairman since differences emerged between the coalition partners over the federal budget presented last week. Reports had suggested that the PPP was considering boycotting the budget session, fearing that its recommendations and proposals had not been properly incorporated. However, following last-minute negotiations, the party decided to attend the session.

Read: Bilawal joins budget session after PPP boycott rumors

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed issues of political and national importance, as well as development projects and the federal budget.

Bilawal paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote world peace in the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East.

The two leaders also exchanged views on issues of common concern regarding the country’s political landscape and national affairs.

During the meeting, they reviewed the ongoing development projects carried out by the federal government in Sindh and also discussed the federal budget.

The Prime Minister stressed that effective coordination and cooperation between the federation and provinces was essential for national development.

“The participants agreed to continue close collaboration between federal and provincial institutions to ensure the success of projects of national importance and the provision of better facilities to the public,” the statement said.

Bilawal also thanked the Prime Minister for supporting the government formation process in Gilgit-Baltistan.

DPM Dar, Finance Minister Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema also attended the meeting.

Read also: CM Murad unveils Sindh budget of Rs3.56tr, increases salaries and minimum wage

The PPP and the government were at odds over the federal budget, with the party expressing concerns over the alleged exclusion of its recommendations and proposals and expressing reservations on unresolved issues.

Bilawal was reportedly unhappy with the budget, saying it differed from the document previously shared with the PPP.

On Tuesday, the PPP raised concerns over the budget to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and said Bilawal would not participate in the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly unless the party’s reservations were taken into account.

The PPP is the main coalition partner of the PML-N-led government, and its support has been instrumental in helping the federal government achieve both a simple majority and, when necessary, a two-thirds majority in Parliament.