Islamabad: A meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, convened at the Parliament House to review the “Post-Budget Analysis of the Federal Budget FY2026-27.” The Committee discussed the budget’s focus on revenue generation and fiscal consolidation, expressing concerns over limited measures for economic growth and investment.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan: The Committee examined macroeconomic assumptions, expenditure priorities, and tax reforms under the budget, which aligns with Pakistan’s IMF Programme emphasizing fiscal consolidation and primary surplus targets. Members questioned the ambitious revenue targets set for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the reliance on enforcement measures over structural tax base reforms.

Concerns were raised about the requirement for provincial fiscal surpluses and the policy rationale behind additional taxation amid restricted public expenditure. The Committee highlighted debt servicing’s significant share in expenditure and called for a debt management strategy to enhance development funding. Inefficiencies in the power and gas sectors, climate-related allocations, and the impact of the retailer tax scheme were also scrutinized. The Committee emphasized the need for reforms to address structural economic challenges, broadening the tax base, and improving expenditure efficiency.