Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) senior leader and Member National Assembly Shahida Rahmani on Sunday described the federal budget for fiscal year 2026–27 as a positive development for the national economy, expressing hope that it could steer Pakistan towards a sustainable and new economic direction, provided further reforms are introduced to make it fully pro-people.
Rahmani terms FY 2026–27 Shahida Rahmani positive step toward economic stability
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) senior leader and Member National Assembly Shahida Rahmani on Sunday described the federal budget for fiscal year 2026–27 as a positive development for the national economy, expressing hope that it could steer Pakistan towards a sustainable and new economic direction, provided further reforms are introduced to make it fully pro-people.
Participating in the National Assembly budget debate, she said a truly public-friendly budget required a reduction in elite privileges and strict control over government expenditures.
She stressed the need for a strong and equitable economic system where all segments of society are equally accountable under tax and legal frameworks, ensuring a minimal tax burden on the salaried class and reducing reliance on indirect taxation.
She called for modernizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to improve tax collection efficiency so that revenue targets could be achieved without imposing additional burden through petroleum levies or electricity tariffs.
The PPPP lawmaker recommended a long-term strategy for establishing new manufacturing units and industries in the country, saying it would not only boost local production but also create employment opportunities for farmers, workers, and pensioners.
She said restoring investor confidence was essential for economic stability, adding that growth depended on industrial revival and export expansion.
She further stressed the need for a comprehensive package to provide industries with affordable gas and electricity, along with reduced production costs, arguing that such measures would help end industrial stagnation and reduce dependency on external borrowing and debt servicing.
Highlighting agriculture as the backbone of the economy, she urged the introduction of modern agricultural research and technology to address climate change challenges.
She also called for ensuring access to subsidised fertilisers, quality seeds, and improved irrigation systems to significantly enhance agricultural productivity.
Shahida Rahmani said job creation in the IT and industrial sectors was vital to empowering the country’s youth.
She proposed prioritising social welfare programmes, human rights protection, and parliamentary affairs in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and other budgetary allocations.
She said increased focus on these areas would strengthen democratic institutions and ensure protection of marginalised segments of society.
