Islamabad: Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has indicated that the upcoming federal budget, set to be presented on June 10, will include tax relief measures for salaried individuals, aimed at easing their financial burden.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad on Monday, Aurangzeb said the government is actively working to reduce the tax load on salaried persons, whose incomes are taxed at the source. “We understand the pressure on the salaried class, and the budget will reflect measures to address that,” he stated.
He emphasized that the budget will not merely be an account of income and expenditure but a strategic roadmap to demonstrate where Pakistan’s economy stands and where it is headed. “We are taking bold steps to provide a clear economic direction,” Aurangzeb added.
Aurangzeb highlighted that Pakistan’s economic recovery is gaining international recognition, with recent developments exceeding expectations. He pointed to ongoing digitisation efforts within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), stating that reducing human involvement will lead to greater transparency and efficiency.
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The minister also shared updates on reforms across key sectors, including taxation and energy. “We’ve already handed over 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to the Privatisation Commission. These are steps toward technological and structural transformation,” he said.
Sharing insights from recent meetings with global investors in Washington and London, Aurangzeb said Pakistan received a positive response on its economic trajectory. “The world is satisfied with Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability,” he noted.
He further revealed that the government is working to simplify the tax filing process for salaried workers and is progressing on pension reforms. Other upcoming initiatives include reforms in debt management and rightsizing federal government departments.
Later speaking to the media, Aurangzeb addressed Pakistan’s ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that despite attempts to disrupt the recent board meeting, Pakistan’s case was discussed on merit and all IMF targets were met.
“If we had failed, it would have posed serious challenges,” he said, adding that the IMF mission has departed after constructive talks, with virtual discussions set to continue this week.
On national defence, he reaffirmed the government’s support for the armed forces, emphasizing that defence is a collective national responsibility.
Aurangzeb clarified that no final decision has been made yet regarding adjustments to civil or military salaries in the upcoming budget.
As anticipation builds ahead of the June 10 budget announcement, all eyes will be on the government’s ability to balance economic reforms, fiscal discipline, and public relief.
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