Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the government to abolish income tax on monthly salaries up to Rs125,000 and provide substantial relief to the country’s salaried middle class in the upcoming federal budget.
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In a statement shared on social media, Hafiz Naeem said salaried individuals have been carrying an increasingly heavy tax burden amid rising living costs and economic challenges. He argued that the middle class is facing mounting pressure from inflation, utility bills and taxation.
According to the JI chief, the government collected approximately Rs605 billion in income tax from salaried employees, placing a significant burden on households already struggling with higher expenses. He said increasing costs related to education, electricity, gas, fuel and essential commodities have made it difficult for many families to maintain their standard of living.
مڈل کلاس تنخواہ دار طبقے سے حکومت نے 605 ارب انکم ٹیکس وصول کیا ہے۔ یہ طبقہ بری طرح پِس رہاہے۔ بچوں کی تعلیم، بجلی گیس کے بھاری بِل، مہنگا پٹرول، ناجائز لیوی، کھانے پینے کی چیزوں پر ٹیکس، صحت اور علاج کے اخراجات اور مہنگائی کا طوفان۔۔حکومتی اقدامات اور پالیسیوں نے اس طبقے کا جینا… pic.twitter.com/2C0YPM9Mlh
— Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) June 2, 2026
Hafiz Naeem urged policymakers to introduce meaningful relief measures in the federal budget, arguing that the current tax structure disproportionately affects individuals with fixed incomes. He proposed the complete elimination of income tax on salaries up to Rs125,000 per month.
For those earning above that threshold, he suggested reducing existing tax rates by at least half. He also called for lowering the maximum income tax rate from 35 per cent to 15 per cent, saying such reforms would ease financial pressure on taxpayers and encourage economic activity.
The JI leader further expressed concern over the migration of professionals and skilled workers, claiming that many are leaving the country due to what he described as an unfair and burdensome tax system. He warned that the continued departure of qualified individuals could have long-term consequences for Pakistan’s economy and workforce.
His remarks come as the government prepares to unveil the federal budget, with expectations growing among various sectors for tax relief and measures to address inflationary pressures.
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Economic experts and business groups have also been calling for reforms to broaden the tax base and reduce the burden on documented sectors of the economy, particularly salaried taxpayers.