Pakistan’s budget negotiations for fiscal year 2026-27 have entered a crucial phase as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reportedly asked the government to raise an additional Rs500 billion through new taxes measures. Read More: Pakistan budget 2026–27 eyes heavy taxes According to reports citing official sources, the demand comes as Islamabad finalises revenue targets and […]
federal budget
IMF pressures Pakistan to tighten money laundering controls
The International Monetary Fund has urged Pakistan to adopt strict measures against trade-based money laundering before announcing the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The Fund raised concerns over suspicious financial activities in trade, banking, real estate and non-financial business sectors, while demanding stronger oversight and faster enforcement actions to improve financial transparency and reduce […]
PM Shehbaz calls for reduction in direct taxes to boost business growth
Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for reducing direct taxes across all sectors in the upcoming federal budget, emphasizing the need to support business, attract investment, and accelerate economic growth. Read More: Pakistan Pushes for Tax Relief to Boost Growth Speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government must shift its focus […]
Pakistan seeks IMF flexibility to support growth in next budget
The government is considering multiple options to seek relaxations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on key fiscal and macroeconomic targets ahead of the 2026–27 budget. The move is aimed at reviving economic activity and creating space for growth-oriented policies. Policymakers believe that strict conditions under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility have constrained growth by […]
NFC meeting delayed again as growth outlook dips
ISLAMABAD: The first session of the newly formed National Finance Commission (NFC) remains nowhere on the horizon, with the latest proposed date of November 18 quietly pushed back. The delay comes as the government revises the economic growth forecast downward by up to 0.7 percentage points, setting the new estimate at 3.5 per cent for […]
Congress fears losing power as Trump tightens control
WASHINGTON – The ongoing US government shutdown has deepened tensions between Congress and President Donald Trump, with lawmakers increasingly worried that the standoff is eroding their constitutional control over federal spending. As Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other for the deadlock, Trump’s White House has taken decisive actions that critics say sideline congressional […]
Pakistan’s national assembly passes budget for 2025–26 with amendments
The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26. The approval came after several days of debate, discussions, and review by lawmakers during a special session held in Islamabad. Members of the assembly approved the Finance Bill 2025 through a clause-by-clause voting process, making it the official budget […]
Budget 2025-26: Coffee, chocolate, juices, and mineral water prices set to rise
The new federal budget proposes higher taxes on many common goods. Coffee, chocolate, fruit juices, and mineral water will become more expensive. The government plans to impose a 5% tax on these beverages. Additionally, online sales through e-commerce platforms will face a 2% tax, affecting many consumers and sellers. Moreover, an 18% tax will be […]
Journalists walk out of post-budget press conference over lack of technical briefing
In Islamabad, journalists staged a walkout during the post-budget press conference on June 11. They protested the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) failure to provide a technical briefing on the federal budget beforehand. The protest began as soon as the press conference started, with reporters standing up and voicing their frustration. The journalists demanded an […]
NA passes captive power gas levy bill under IMF conditions
In a swift move just days before unveiling the federal budget, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a controversial IMF-driven mini-budget on Thursday — the Captive Power Plants (Off-Grid) Levy Bill 2025 — without any debate and through a supplementary agenda. The bill aims to give legal cover to a previously imposed grid levy on industrial units […]