Ahsan Iqbal

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the modernization of Pakistan Railways to establish the country as a regional trade and logistics hub. The review meeting outlined progress on infrastructure projects like ML-1 and ML-3 upgrades, the Thar Coal Railway Connectivity Project, and plans for station commercialization and digitization.

Ministers from the ruling PML-N rebuked Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for remarks suggesting soldiers' sacrifices are tied to salaries. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and other ministers criticized the comments as morally insensitive, emphasizing the ideological and patriotic duty behind military personnel's service.

Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Planning Minister, urged overseas Pakistanis to invest in healthcare, technology, exports, and innovation through the URAAN Pakistan initiative. He proposed US-based telemedicine panels for 60 Pakistani districts and invited entrepreneurs to expand investments and facilitate technology transfer.

Pakistan's 2026-27 budget slashes the overall development outlay by 25% to Rs3.218 trillion, with Punjab's development plan cut by nearly half (49%). Balochistan retained its full development allocation, while the federal and provincial budgets were reduced to Rs1 trillion and Rs2.218 trillion, respectively. The National Economic Council (NEC) approved the cuts, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The federal budget 2026-27 in Pakistan faces delays due to unresolved disputes between the Centre and provinces over fiscal allocations. The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting was postponed again, with provinces resisting a freeze on their National Finance Commission (NFC) shares, which could push them into deficit. The federal government seeks over Rs1 trillion for strategic needs, but provinces argue this would strain their budgets.