PM Sharif Prioritizes Public Relief, Export-Led Growth in 2025-26 Budget

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that providing relief to the common man will be the top priority in the upcoming 2025-26 federal budget, with a focus on alleviating the financial burdens of Pakistan’s poor and middle classes. Chairing a high-level meeting to discuss budget preparations, Sharif consulted with prominent business leaders and economic experts, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between the government and private sector to drive national prosperity.

The Prime Minister directed officials to prioritize export-led sustainable growth, urging the promotion of industries and increased production through targeted projects. He highlighted the importance of equipping youth with professional training to meet modern demands, calling for a budget that creates new job opportunities, particularly in agriculture, information technology, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and housing—sectors with immense potential for economic expansion.

Sharif also stressed the promotion of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, noting their significance in the upcoming budget. He cited ongoing power sector reforms, including reduced electricity tariffs for industries, as a key step toward boosting production. Additionally, the government is advancing automation and digitization to enhance transparency and facilitate businesses and investors. The Prime Minister affirmed that the process of rightsizing the federal government will continue into the next fiscal year to streamline operations.

The meeting was briefed on ongoing consultations with the private sector over the past three months, with stakeholder sessions held across various economic sectors. A five-year Trade Policy Framework (2025-2030) is nearing completion, alongside an e-commerce 2.0 framework and a tariff rationalization plan. Business leaders and experts expressed confidence in the government’s economic policies, offering actionable recommendations that Sharif welcomed and instructed to be incorporated into the budget.

Attendees included Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Special Assistant for Industry Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials. As Pakistan prepares for a transformative budget, Sharif’s vision of inclusive growth and economic resilience sets the stage for addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.