PM Shehbaz terms federal budget 'people-friendly', hopes it will promote an 'export-oriented' economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 “people-friendly” and hoped that it would promote an “export-oriented” economy. He made the remarks in a meeting with women parliamentarians from the PML-N, where he thanked them for their participation in the ongoing budget debate. He expressed hope that people will be able to benefit from the “relief-oriented” budget after the restoration of peace in the region, according to a press statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). According to the statement, PM Shehbaz noted that the budget had introduced “measures to empower women in the country as well as increase their inclusion in the mainstream,” terming it a “top priority” for the government. He also spoke of Pakistan’s peace efforts in the US-Iran war, expressing gratitude to countries who supported Pakistan throughout the peace process. PM Shehbaz commended the efforts of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their role in the peace process. “Only with the establishment of lasting peace in the region, the dream of economic prosperity for Pakistan and other countries can be fulfilled,” he told the meeting. At this, he recalled the government’s efforts to shield the public from a “wave of global inflation” that emerged in the wake of the US-Iran crisis. “With the cooperation of federal and provincial governments, a historic package was given to the economically weaker sections of the society,” he remarked, recalling a Rs128bn subsidy and austerity drive launched in March. “In the current situation, the federation and the provinces have fully cooperated to keep the country’s economy stable, for which the provincial governments are deeply grateful,” he stressed. He outlined that for the next year’s budget, the government will focus on “national interests, especially increasing water