President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss national security, the upcoming federal budget, the regional situation, and other matters of national importance.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.
According to an official statement, the participants reviewed the country’s economic situation, budget proposals for the next fiscal year, the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as law and order issues.
Discussing budget proposals and public relief measures, President Zardari stressed the need to prioritise public welfare, provincial rights and economic stability in the federal budget.
The president also emphasised the importance of aligning economic growth objectives with social welfare initiatives in the upcoming budget to maximise public benefit.
During the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the president on his recent visit to Iran and ongoing regional diplomatic engagements.
The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Peoples Party leaders Senator Sherry Rehman, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Senator Ahad Cheema.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Faisal Rathore, and former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also participated in the discussions.
The meeting comes days before the federal government is scheduled to unveil the budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The Pakistan Peoples Party has assured the federal government of its support in passing the budget, said sources.
PM Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to discuss the prevailing situation in AJK.
According to sources, the meeting focused on the evolving situation in the region and possible political and administrative steps to improve conditions. Bilawal stressed the need for dialogue and negotiations to resolve the situation and restore stability. PPP chairman also conveyed his party’s position to the prime minister regarding developments in Azad Kashmir.
Both leaders agreed to continue consultations on the matter as part of efforts to ensure political stability in the region.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the single largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly general elections 2026, according to unofficial and unverified results received.
However, with no single party securing a clear majority, the role of independent candidates has become crucial for government formation in the region.
According to the preliminary data, the PPP managed to secure 10 seats. Candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won four seats, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) bagged one seat. Meanwhile PML-N is claiming leading on 6 seats.
Crucially, five seats were won by independent candidates, who are now expected to play a decisive role in the making of the next government.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended congratulations to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the successful, transparent, peaceful and politically vibrant conduct of the general elections held on Sunday.
PM, in a statement, congratulated thePPP, including President Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto, for emerging as the majority political party in the GB elections.
He congratulated the successful candidates of the PML-N who put up strong competition, besides praising the party’s team for their hard work and dedication.
Felicitating all other winning candidates across GB, Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated the people for their enthusiastic and full participation in the political activities.
Calling the peaceful and transparent elections and active political engagement the “beauty of democracy”, he praised the Election Commission for ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process.
PML-N Hafeezur Rehman claime 11 Seats
GB former CM and PresidentPML-N GB Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, has said that with the inclusion of two independent candidates who won with the party’s support, the total number of seats held by PML-N in the 24-member GB Assembly stands at 11.
Speaking to the media Hafeezur Rehman said discussions were also underway with other independent candidates.
He noted that the election had produced a mixed mandate, making it difficult at this stage to determine the final numerical strength of each political party in the assembly.