Islamabad, 29 May 2025: Budget 2025–26 may be postponed yet again, as officials face difficulties aligning key fiscal events with the Eid ul-Azha holiday schedule.
The federal government is now expected to present the annual budget on June 12, shifting it from its earlier tentative date of June 10.
The delay follows the anticipated Eid holidays, which are likely to fall on June 7, 8, and 9 (Saturday through Monday).
Sources close to the planning process revealed that although efforts were underway to declare June 9 a working day, managing major fiscal events on that date would still be logistically challenging.
READ MORE: Budget 2025-26: Govt Announces Final Date
NEC Meeting and Economic Survey Pose Scheduling Conflict
According to insiders, holding the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting and releasing the Economic Survey 2025 on the same day was deemed impractical.
The NEC session, which generally lasts a full day, involves high-level participation including the four provincial chief ministers, as well as leaders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Given the traditional practice of tabling the federal budget two days after the NEC meeting, the earliest feasible date now appears to be June 12.
Earlier Delay Already Pushed Timeline
The Budget 2025–26 has already seen a shift in dates. Initially scheduled for June 2, it was first deferred to June 10 due to internal deliberations and preparatory delays.
Officials acknowledged that critical decisions ranging from development spending to revenue projections are still under discussion, which has contributed to the uncertain timeline.
Analysts noted that such repeated delays in presenting the federal budget reflect broader coordination challenges, especially when major religious holidays coincide with crucial administrative deadlines.
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Further Postponement Not Ruled Out
Senior officials have not ruled out the possibility of an additional delay if unresolved matters persist. Given the tight window for both political consultations and document finalization, they indicated that flexibility remains necessary.
In this evolving scenario, the Budget 2025–26 continues to hang in the balance, with the final date hinging on how swiftly authorities can align institutional meetings, finalize fiscal decisions, and manage public expectations ahead of the new financial year.
