Summary Tarar said that the government has taken measures to curb corruption in institutions such as ports, income tax departments and the FBR
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that the federal budget has been prepared as a relief-oriented financial plan despite challenging economic conditions.
Addressing a press conference alongside Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, he said the government had ensured that the burden of taxation was not shifted onto those already paying taxes.
Tarar said that the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had stabilised the economy during difficult times, adding that Pakistan had previously reached agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under PML-N governments.
He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a key role in negotiating with the IMF, which, according to him, helped restore macroeconomic stability. He added that after taking “difficult decisions” over the past two years, the government is now in a position to provide relief to the public.
The minister said individuals earning less than Rs50,000 per month have been exempted from income tax, while those earning between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 will be taxed at just 1 percent.
He further said the government has taken measures to curb corruption in institutions such as ports, income tax departments and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), adding that Rs60 billion was collected from sugar mills through improved enforcement.
Tarar also said that Rs800 billion was generated through enforcement actions over the past year, while reforms in the housing sector have helped stimulate economic activity across multiple industries.
Separately, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said the budget provides relief to industrialists, exporters, women and youth, and includes allocations such as Rs110 billion for agricultural loans under the Prime Minister’s Youth Package and Rs838 billion for the Benazir Income Support Programme.
He added that the government aims to maintain long-term economic stability by expanding the tax base while also facilitating the business community through targeted incentives and reforms.
