Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has announced that the government has introduced a budget for the financial year 2026-27 centered on relief, development, and prosperity. He shared this during an online briefing to social media influencers, accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.
According to Radio Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar emphasized that the upcoming fiscal budget stands out in comparison to previous ones, noting that even opposition benches have expressed appreciation. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a crucial role in negotiating with the International Monetary Fund to achieve economic stability. Despite challenges, the government worked to provide relief to the public by creating necessary fiscal space.
Tarar outlined several government achievements, including reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue, expansion of the tax net, and introduction of transparency. He stressed that Prime Minister Sharif's vision avoids placing the burden of tax defaulters on taxpayers. The government also managed to avert a potential economic default by resolving issues with the IMF.
The Minister detailed efforts to control tax leakages and mentioned the collection of 800 billion rupees in enforcement taxes last year. The next year's budget extends relief to salaried individuals, exporters, and the industrial sector. The government also collected an additional 60 billion rupees from sugar mills and targeted illegal trade.
Further, he noted significant budget proposals for the housing sector with 90 billion rupees allocated for the Apna Ghar program. The relentless efforts of Prime Minister Sharif and his team, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, were praised for contributing to economic stability.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani characterized the next year's budget as people-friendly and relief-oriented, promising substantial benefits for various sectors and vulnerable demographics. He highlighted the establishment of new tribunals to address tax-related issues and enhance revenue.
Addressing queries, Kayani mentioned that education and health are primarily provincial matters, suggesting that federal and provincial allocations should be considered collectively. During the briefing, both ministers addressed questions from social media influencers regarding the budget details.