Budget 2026 27

IMF-mandated curbs squeeze development spending

Only Rs1.13tr allocated to PSDP against Rs4.1tr requirement; minister terms shortfall "new circular debt crisis"; record Rs4.715tr development plan unveiled.

Published 02 Jun, 2026 07:46am

BUDGET 2026-27: Farmers look to budget with growing fears, fading hopes

Wheat policy reversals, deregulated input costs and controlled output prices are curtailing farm profitability.

Published 02 Jun, 2026 07:28am

BUDGET 2026-27: IMF-mandated curbs squeeze development spending

Only Rs1.13tr allocated to PSDP against Rs4.1tr requirement; minister terms shortfall "new circular debt crisis"; Record Rs4.715tr development plan unveiled.

Updated 02 Jun, 2026 07:46am

PM Shehbaz assures businessmen, industrialists of measures to boost industrial growth in upcoming budget

Premier emphasises that enhanced industrial, agricultural and technological cooperation with China would boost Pakistan’s exports

Published 01 Jun, 2026 10:00pm

4pc growth target set for FY2026–27 as macroeconomic framework sent to economic council for approval

The economic framework will be presented to the National Economic Council on June 3 for final approval.

Published 01 Jun, 2026 05:56pm

A new tightrope budget

Despite a temporary price easing earlier this year, Pakistan is bracing for renewed inflationary pressures in FY27.

Updated 01 Jun, 2026 10:10am

Budget concerns

Mistaking IMF compliance for sound economic management is what is driving the economy into deeper stagnation.

Updated 01 Jun, 2026 08:21am

The social weight on the new budget

Attempting to extract more taxes from an already stressed private sector is likely to generate frustration and resentment rather than meaningful additional revenues.

Published 01 Jun, 2026 07:01am

Imports of cotton surge despite lower local prices

Pakistan emerges as the largest buyer of US cotton for the second consecutive week.

Published 01 Jun, 2026 07:01am

Govt mulls scrapping export tax in budget

1pc advance tax removal may bring a meagre Rs100bn relief; textile sector pushes for broader reforms, refunds, and lower energy costs.

Updated 30 May, 2026 07:42am

NA, Senate budget sessions summoned on June 5

National Assembly proceedings to begin at 5pm, Senate scheduled for 6pm.

Updated 29 May, 2026 12:14pm

Shadow budget eyes zero deficit

FPCCI projects Rs19.6tr revenue for FY27, cuts subsidies and pushes privatisation to fix fiscal imbalances.

Published 26 May, 2026 07:03am

NA panel takes govt to task over budget preparation, reforms

Naveed Qamar criticises continued reliance on indirect taxes, petroleum levy; NDP consultants warn Pakistan remains on a "fragile stabilisation path".

Published 26 May, 2026 07:02am

PTI slams govt’s ‘fifth budget sans reforms’

PTI information secretary says no serious effort has been made over the past five years to cut the cost of governance, reduce wasteful spending or address structural inefficiencies.

Updated 25 May, 2026 07:43am

More stabilisation

The stabilisation achieved through painful growth compression steps could have been used as a platform for structural reforms.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:12am

Meet demands or face budget boycott, Achakzai tells govt

Opposition seeks medical treatment, visitation rights for Imran Khan; treasury benches criticised for poor attendance in lower house.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:07am

IMF wraps up Pakistan visit following talks with authorities on reforms, budget

According to the Fund, authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to a primary surplus target of 2pc of GDP in FY2027.

Updated 21 May, 2026 10:20am

NFC reform urged to keep population from burgeoning

“Population is a ticking time bomb for every resource this country generates,” PPP Senator Sherry Rehman says.

Updated 21 May, 2026 07:46am

Govt set to approve Rs3.5tr development plan

Schedules Annual Plan Coordination Committee and National Economic Council meetings early next month to clear a consolidated national development programme.

Published 20 May, 2026 07:02am

Foreign investment plunges to $1.409bn

China remains top investor despite overall decline in inflows.

Published 20 May, 2026 07:02am

PM Shehbaz reviews Rs1.5tr PSDP, directs more funds for well-performing ministries

Water reservoirs, hydropower projects to remain govt’s top priorities, PM says

Published 18 May, 2026 09:43pm

The fiscal space test

Stabilisation has bought Pakistan a budget cycle; FY27 should use it to build.

Published 18 May, 2026 08:28am

Centre seeks provincial input on digital master plan before budget

Ahad Cheema says NDMP to improve public services, reduce human intervention.

Published 17 May, 2026 07:36am

A new fiscal compact

It is increasingly about how all parts of the state can share responsibility for reviving industry, employment and economic growth.

Updated 16 May, 2026 08:39am

Leather exporters flag high costs

Seek lower duties, simpler compliance in budget proposals.

Published 15 May, 2026 07:50am

Finance ministry terms report on Dar being 'handed' budget-making process 'misleading, incorrect'

Ministry says a media report "incorrectly portrays the constitution of a high-level review committee by the prime minister as a ‘handover’ of the budget-making process from the Finance Division".

Updated 14 May, 2026 03:08pm

Faltering tax effort

You cannot grow your economy while the state is busy bleeding it to fulfil its own expenditure requirements.

Updated 14 May, 2026 07:57am

FBR mulls AI-based monitoring

Proposals under consideration for the upcoming budget 2026-27 include measures to improve transparency and documentation through digital tools.

Updated 14 May, 2026 08:03am

Public Sector Development Programme spending remains sluggish

Overall development outlay cut to Rs837.2bn from Rs1.01tr due to fiscal constraints.

Published 14 May, 2026 07:11am

IMF funds arrive as govt opens pre-budget talks

Both sides exchanges views on maintaining reform momentum, preserving macroeconomic stability and advancing structural reforms to promote investment, productivity and export-led growth.

Updated 14 May, 2026 07:54am