Islamabad, December 5, 2025 – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the inaugural meeting of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) on Thursday, emphasizing the shared commitment of the federation and provinces to fulfill a key constitutional responsibility.
The meeting brought together provincial leaders, finance ministers, and members of the NFC to discuss equitable resource distribution and fiscal sustainability.
Provincial Leaders Attend the Inaugural Session
The NFC meeting was attended by:
• Sindh: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Dr. Asad Sayeed (Member NFC)
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: CM Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Dr. Musharraf Rasool Cyan (Member NFC)
• Punjab: Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Nasir Mahmood Khosa (Member NFC)
• Balochistan: Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Mahfooz Ali Khan (Member NFC)
• Special Invitee: Muzammil Aslam, Advisor to CM KP for Finance
• Provincial Finance Secretaries also attended.
Aurangzeb’s Opening Remarks
Senator Aurangzeb welcomed participants and highlighted the constitutional and collaborative significance of the NFC process. Key points from his remarks included:
• Commitment to transparent and sincere dialogue between federal and provincial governments.
• Appreciation for provinces’ cooperation in signing the National Fiscal Pact and maintaining mandatory fiscal surpluses supporting IMF compliance.
• Recognition of federal-provincial unity and resilience despite external threats and natural disasters.
• Emphasis on the NFC’s role in equitable resource distribution, fiscal sustainability, and long-term economic growth.
• Confidence that the 11th NFC would deliver a fair and forward-looking award.
Provincial Statements on Consensus and Cooperation
Sindh
CM Syed Murad Ali Shah appreciated the federal government for convening the first meeting and stressed the importance of consensus in NFC deliberations. He reaffirmed Sindh’s commitment to Pakistan’s prosperity, unity, and progress.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
CM Muhammad Sohail Afridi highlighted the sacrifices of KP in the war on terror and urged that the NFC address the inclusion of the Newly Merged Districts in fiscal allocations. He emphasized that a strong federation ensures strong provinces.
Punjab
Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman stressed the importance of equitable resource distribution and policy consistency between the federal and provincial governments, noting that achieving consensus would require joint effort.
Balochistan
Mir Shoaib Nosherwani echoed the importance of cooperation and consensus, citing examples of Sui Gas, Saindak, and Reqo Diq projects as pillars of federal-provincial collaboration.
Discussions and Next Steps
During the meeting:
• Provinces and the federal government presented detailed fiscal positions and priorities.
• A proposed schedule and timeline for future meetings was discussed.
• Technical sub-groups will be formed to work on specific NFC mandates.
• A Sub-group on the merger of former FATA/Newly Merged Districts will formulate recommendations for early consideration by mid-January 2026.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of transparency, professionalism, mutual respect, and collaboration, aiming for an equitable and sustainable NFC Award for Pakistan.
The 11th NFC process will continue through structured meetings and technical consultations over the coming months, reflecting the federal government and provinces’ shared dedication to Pakistan’s fiscal stability and unity.