Budget 2026-27 Focused on Public Relief, Salaried Class and Youth to Benefit: Attaullah Tarar

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani have described the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 as a relief-oriented budget aimed at supporting citizens, businesses, exporters, farmers, and young people.

Speaking during an online briefing, Attaullah Tarar said the budget differs significantly from previous years and reflects the government’s commitment to economic recovery and public welfare.

He stated that while some critics oppose government policies regardless of their content, even political opponents have acknowledged several positive aspects of the budget.

According to Tarar, the government inherited challenging economic conditions but successfully stabilized the economy through reforms and responsible fiscal management. He emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s economic vision played a key role in restoring confidence and preventing a potential financial crisis.

The minister noted that Pakistan’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was crucial in avoiding economic instability and ensuring continued financial support.

Highlighting tax reforms, Tarar said the government introduced major changes within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), eliminated favoritism in appointments, and strengthened merit-based governance across tax and customs departments.

He further explained that a faceless appraisal system has been implemented at ports, eliminating direct interaction between importers, exporters, and customs officials. The digital system has reduced delays and improved transparency in trade-related processes.

The minister also announced that the Export Refinance Scheme will continue with a reduced markup rate of 4 percent, providing significant support to exporters and industrial sectors.

According to the government, the budget includes incentives for the salaried class, industries, exporters, and businesses, while substantial resources have also been allocated under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program.

Tarar stated that approximately 550,000 young people are expected to benefit from agricultural and business financing schemes. More than one billion rupees have been allocated for agricultural development and youth-focused initiatives.

He added that duties on the import of agricultural machinery have been removed and agricultural graduates are being provided advanced training opportunities, including educational programs in China.

The government also plans to continue its agricultural innovation and concessional financing initiatives to improve productivity and support rural development.

Officials maintained that the primary objective of Budget 2026-27 is to sustain economic stability, provide relief to citizens, encourage investment, increase exports, and create opportunities for Pakistan’s growing youth population.