The Ministry of Finance has announced a special relief allowance for the armed forces in the next fiscal year. Officers will receive 50% of their basic salary as allowance, while junior commissioned officers and soldiers will get 20%. The finance secretary revealed this during a parliamentary committee briefing, but the ministry did not disclose […]
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
Finance minister retracts 10% electricity surcharge proposal amid IMF concerns
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has withdrawn his earlier proposal to impose a 10% surcharge on electricity bills. This reversal surprised many, especially since Pakistan had assured the IMF that the surcharge would help manage circular debt repayments. The announcement came just a day after Aurangzeb suggested the surcharge during his budget speech. Aurangzeb clarified that […]
Govt hikes SOE funding by 80% in FY26, pushes ahead with reforms and privatisation
The federal government has allocated Rs354.81 billion to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for FY2025–26, reflecting an 80.3% increase from Rs196.83 billion last year. These funds, released under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), will support key SOEs in infrastructure, transport, energy, and financial services—sectors critical to national development. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, in his budget speech, […]
Tax relief proposed for fertilizers, pesticides—but farmers still disappointed
In the newly announced federal budget 2025–26, the Pakistani government has proposed to continue sales tax exemptions on fertilizers and pesticides, in an attempt to support the agriculture sector, considered the backbone of the economy. Despite this relief, key stakeholders have voiced dissatisfaction, saying many promises remain unfulfilled. During his budget speech in Parliament, Finance […]
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 […]
Post-budget press conference: Aurangzeb outlines relief, faces journalist boycott
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a post-budget press conference in Islamabad after journalists walked out in protest. The reporters protested because the Federal Board of Revenue did not give them a technical briefing on the Finance Bill 2025. Despite the walkout, Aurangzeb continued the conference with some journalists present, flanked by senior officials. Aurangzeb highlighted […]
Govt gave maximum relief to salaried class in budget, says finance minister
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government provided as much relief as possible to the lower and salaried classes. The minister said the aim was to ease the burden on those affected most by inflation. He assured the public that relief measures were designed carefully. These steps reflect the government’s effort to support struggling […]
Supreme court’s budget increased to Rs. 6.64 billion for 2025-26
The federal government has allocated Rs. 6.64 billion for the Supreme Court’s expenses in the 2025-26 budget. This funding will cover salaries, allowances, operational costs, and development projects. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced the allocation while presenting the budget in the National Assembly. A significant portion of the budget—Rs. 3.26 billion—will go toward salaries and […]
Youth skill development gets a boost in Pakistan’s 2025 budget
The federal government has allocated Rs. 4.3 billion for the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program in the 2025-26 budget. This initiative aims to train 161,500 young individuals in various technical fields to enhance employment opportunities. The program is designed to equip youth with market-driven skills, helping them secure better jobs and boost economic growth. […]
Pakistan’s senate session: Finance bill 2025 presented amid opposition protests
The Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Finance Bill 2025 in the Senate, sparking strong opposition protests. Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chanted slogans against the government, criticizing policies affecting farmers and laborers. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani referred the bill to the Senate Finance Committee, which will prepare recommendations within 10 days. The opposition […]