ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is set to present the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the National Assembly on Tuesday, as the coalition government aims to stabilize the economy, meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) benchmarks, and provide relief to taxpayers.
With an estimated outlay of Rs17.6 trillion, the budget arrives amid global economic uncertainty exacerbated by newly imposed trade tariffs from the United States. The finance minister, delivering his second budget speech, will also present the Finance Bill 2024 in the Senate as required under Article 73 of the Constitution.
Key areas under scrutiny include the GDP growth target, external financing projections, taxation policies for salaried individuals, the size and scope of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), efforts to widen the tax net, and the defence budget.
The budget announcement follows the government’s recent miss on its GDP growth target, which was set at 3.6% for the outgoing fiscal year but landed at 2.7%, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. However, Aurangzeb emphasized a positive turnaround, citing a 4.8% rebound in industrial activity, which has pushed Pakistan’s economy to $411 billion and raised per capita income to $1,824.
Lawmakers and economic analysts will closely watch the budget proceedings, assessing its potential impact on fiscal stability, investment trends, and the broader economic outlook.