Pakistan, June 18 -- Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the federal government and provinces had reached a consensus to share the burden of extraordinary national requirements, particularly defence-related needs. Addressing the National Assembly during the budget session, he stressed that the arrangement would remain limited to a three-year framework and that no additional financial sacrifices would be sought from the provinces beyond their agreed contribution.

Bilawal emphasised that the provinces' share under the National Finance Commission Award would remain fully protected despite the current economic challenges. He noted that provincial governments had repeatedly made difficult decisions in the national inte...