In a significant move following his appointment as the president of the PML-N, Nawaz Sharif has swiftly taken action by instructing his younger brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to convene a consultative meeting regarding the upcoming federal budget for the next financial year to gather valuable input.
The meeting, set to be jointly presided over by the Sharif brothers, is scheduled to take place at their residence in the Jati Umra area of Raiwind near Lahore on Thursday. The gathering is expected to be attended by federal ministers and senior leaders of the party, demonstrating a concerted effort to strategize and plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
Party insiders have indicated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the party president, and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, who also holds the foreign ministry portfolio, are likely to participate in the meeting. This confluence of key figures within the PML-N underscores the significance of the discussions at hand.
During the meeting, the participants will be invited to propose measures aimed at providing maximum relief to the populace in light of the prevailing inflationary pressures, both at the federal and provincial levels. Federal ministers have been specifically tasked with bringing forward suggestions from their respective departments to address the pressing need for relief, while party leaders have been urged to contribute their own proposals, drawing from public consultations.
The anticipated participation of high-profile figures such as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, and Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, among others, underlines the gravity of the issues under consideration. It is expected that Nawaz Sharif, leveraging his extensive political and administrative experience, will provide strategic directives during the meeting.
Furthermore, there is an indication that Nawaz Sharif may instruct his daughter to solicit input from the provincial government to devise measures that would offer substantial relief to the people of Punjab. This proactive approach signifies a concerted effort to address the economic challenges faced by the populace, showcasing a strong commitment to governance and public welfare.