Participating in the budget debate 2025-26, Sunni Ittehad Council lawmaker Ali Khan Jadoon emphasized the need for targeted tax relief in the budget to promote economic growth and stability.
He called for concessions for information technology exporters to enhance the sector’s global competitiveness.
He urged the government to grant tax exemptions beyond sales tax in the FATA and PATA regions, saying that such measures are essential for encouraging industrial development in these areas.
Highlighting the rising importance of renewable energy, Jadoon demanded a complete tax exemption on solar panels to make clean energy more accessible to the general public.
He stressed that political stability is a prerequisite for achieving lasting economic stability, urging all stakeholders to work together in the national interest.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Akhtar Bibi called for the swift completion of the Karachi-Khuzdar Highway, emphasizing its importance for connectivity and regional integration.
She highlighted that the second phase of the Kachhi Canal project has been completed, crediting the current government for its success.
Akhtar Bibi extended congratulations to the government on behalf of the people of Balochistan for presenting a people-friendly budget.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) legislator Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan welcomed the reduction in indirect taxes, he pointed out the significant tax contribution of Sindh, particularly Karachi, which accounts for 41 percent of the province’s 45 percent share in direct taxes.
Despite contributing Rs. 350 billion in sales tax from services, Karachi continues to face severe deficiencies in basic infrastructure, he said.
Khawaja Izhar welcomed the reduction in taxes on solar panels and proposed declaring Karachi as the commercial capital of Pakistan, akin to Malaysia’s model.
He acknowledged an improvement in GDP growth but stressed the need for concrete steps to tackle inflation.
The lawmaker also called for transparent reforms in agricultural income taxation, saying that farmers are being treated unfairly and that the agriculture sector needs targeted support for sustainable growth.
SIC MNA Sher Ali Arbab urged the government to take concrete measures to overcome the rising rates of poverty and unemployment, as well as the growing debt burden and decline in key crop yields.
PML-N legislator Muhammad Idrees Khan congratulated the government on presenting a balanced budget, but urged special allocations for tourism development in the three districts of Kohistan, saying the region holds vast untapped potential.
He highlighted that major energy projects like the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams are being constructed in the area and similar projects should be pursued to boost the national economy.
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Amer Ali Magsi underscored the need to reduce regional tensions for long-term peace and stability.
He praised the Pakistan armed forces for their effective response to Indian aggression and commended former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the government for their commendable diplomatic performance.
Amer Magsi expressed serious concern over the lack of substantial measures for the agriculture sector in the budget.
He also demanded funding for the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project to address critical drainage and irrigation challenges.
SIC MNA Muhammad Arshad Sahi said that farmers are struggling to survive and they lack the resources to sow the next crop,” he added.
He urged the government to step in with support for farmers and demanded revision of electricity consumption slabs, saying that petroleum prices will rise further due to the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) and carbon levies inflation.
Lawmaker of PML-N Choudhary Naseer Abbas commended the government and the Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb for presenting a balanced and pro-people budget in a challenging environment marked by economic pressures and regional instability.
He said the budget outlines a clear direction for the economy and focuses on practical measures rather than empty promises.
Naseer Abbas stressed the need for inflation control, which he described as a necessary condition for achieving budget targets.
He reminded the house that the current inflation crisis was inherited from the previous government, but said the incumbent government had succeeded in stabilizing prices through comprehensive steps.
“A 20 kg bag of flour is now available for Rs 1,400,” he said, adding that prices of other essential goods had also declined.
He praised the armed forces for elevating Pakistan’s global image and emphasized the importance of strengthening defense capabilities.
For the first time, he said, the government had reduced its expenditures and cracked down on tax evaders, resulting in a significant rise in revenue collection. He also called for the provision of subsidized fertilizers and machinery for farmers.
PPPP lawmaker Abdul Hakeem Baloch stressed that agriculture and solar panels should be exempted from taxes, saying that many ordinary citizens rely on solar energy to escape frequent power outages.
He pointed out Rs 15 billion allocation for the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway as insufficient and called for swift completion of infrastructure projects across Sindh, which is economic engine of Pakistan.
Hakeem Baloch also raised environmental concerns in Malir, where over-extraction of subsoil water, unchecked construction of high-rise buildings, and housing societies have led to land subsidence of 15 centimeters, threatening local agriculture.
He urged the federal and provincial governments to stop converting agricultural land into commercial zones. Additionally, he demanded fair treatment for employees of Pakistan Steel Mills, many of whom continue to face economic hardship.
Taking part in the budget debate, Senator Kamil Ali Agha emphasized Pakistan’s status as a responsible nuclear power, attributing the nation’s nuclear capability to the vision of former Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
He said that India and Israel have consistently conspired against Pakistan’s nuclear program in an attempt to prevent the country from attaining nuclear capability. “We will not allow any hostile force to cast an evil eye on our nuclear assets,” he said, paying tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for their role in safeguarding the nation’s defence.
On Israel-Iran situation, Senator Agha expressed concern over increasing aggression by Israel towards Muslim countries.
He urged Islamic nations to stand by Iran in the face of current challenges and formulate a united strategy to confront such threats.
He said India had attacked Pakistan, but the country’s robust and timely response earned international support.
The Senator pointed out the move to grant Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers the authority to arrest chief executive officers, called it a discouraging step that could damage the dignity and morale of the business community.
He expressed concerns that the proposed 10% salary and 7% pension increase for government employees may not be enough to address the rising inflation.
He urged the government to revisit these measures in order to provide maximum relief to the common people and ensure that resources are directed toward the underprivileged.
Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan said when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) assumed office; the country was facing a severe economic crisis and was on the verge of default, with $22 billion in pending payments. He said that the government took decisive steps to steer the country out of this crisis and stabilize the economy.
He said the country’s GDP now stands at $411 billion, with foreign exchange reserves reaching $16.6 billion. He added that Pakistan currently enjoys a current account surplus, and remittances have reached a record $37 billion. He recalled that the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had attempted to sabotage the remittance inflow by discouraging overseas Pakistanis.
Dr. Afnan called for greater transparency within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), urging that the assets of FBR officials be declared. He said he would be submitting recommendations in this regard.
On inflation, the Senator said that the rate had been brought down to 4.7 percent, with efforts underway to maintain it within the 5 to 6 percent range. He also pointed out that the Pakistan Stock Exchange index had surpassed the 120,000 mark, indicating investor confidence.
The lawmaker said new motorways would be constructed, including the up gradation of the N-25 highway, with a GDP growth rate target of 4.2 percent for the fiscal year.
Commenting on the Punjab budget, Dr. Afnan said a combined budget of Rs 5.3 trillion had been presented, with Rs. 1,240 billion allocated for development — a record amount. Punjab aims to collect Rs. 1,000 billion in taxes through its own efforts.
He said under the solar initiative, Rs 3.8 billion has been earmarked for the free-panel solar scheme, while Rs 9.8 billion will be spent on the solarization of public offices. Three new metro lines are also planned — in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and a Yellow Line in Lahore.
In the health sector, Rs. 181 billion has been allocated, including provisions for health insurance. The education sector will receive Rs 148 billion, with Rs 100 billion specifically set aside for schools, he added.
Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur strongly condemned Israel’s recent attack on Iran, stating that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no evidence regarding developing of a nuclear weapon. She said the assault was based on baseless allegations and constituted a planned act of aggression.
She urged the government to take additional steps for the welfare of low-income groups, salaried individuals, and pensioners. She called for an increase in the minimum wage from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000, stressing that the current amount is insufficient to meet basic needs amid ongoing financial challenges.
Dr. Zarqa said imposition of taxes on electric and hybrid vehicles is a discouraging move. Instead, she said, such technologies should be incentivized to help reduce air pollution and promote environmental sustainability.
Senator Poonjo Bheel, lauded PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for effectively presenting Pakistan’s stance on the global stage in the aftermath of Indian aggression.
He proposed a minimum 25 percent increase in the salaries of government employees and expressed concern over the current budget’s size being smaller than the previous year’s.
Senator Bheel expressed concerns about farmers’ struggles, who face high input costs while receiving insufficient returns on their crops.
Senator Falak Naz highlighted that the budget allocated for Chitral’s roads last year was insufficient and stressed that the area, globally known for its tourism potential, lacks industrial development and relies heavily on tourism for livelihood.
She praised former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating infrastructure projects in Chitral and acknowledged former President Pervez Musharraf for completing the Lowari Tunnel.
Senator Falak Naz also expressed concern over the poor condition of the Mastuj to Shandur Road, which remains underdeveloped and creating problems for the public.
She raised the issue of persistent electricity load-shedding and low voltage in Chitral and called attention to the impact of climate change, noting that deforestation is contributing to frequent flooding in the region.
Senator Sardar Muhammad Umer, highlighted the ongoing grievances of the Baloch people. He emphasized the region’s arid landscape, and called for the removal of taxes on solar energy systems.
He expressed concern over the slow progress of the Quetta-Karachi highway, stating that the allocated funds were insufficient to complete the project.
Senator Umer said that the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict could impact the whole region.
He recommended that at least two LPG plants be established annually in different districts to reduce unemployment and demanded urgent resolution of the drinking water crisis in Chagai.