Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema requested a special fiscal package and economic assistance from the Union government during a pre-Budget meeting. He highlighted the state's financial strain due to prolonged border tensions with Pakistan and devastating floods in 2025, which caused an estimated Rs 12,905 crore in damage. Cheema sought permission for additional borrowing and Rs 1,000 crore for police modernization and anti-drone technology, framing the requests as essential for national security and cooperative federalism.