Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Wednesday briefed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission on macroeconomic framework, and medium-term targets as well as budget priorities, it is learnt. A senior official claimed that the IMF mission stated the budget for the next fiscal year presented by finance minister appears to be realistic and in agreement with the Fund view to provide targeted subsidies on electricity, promotion of private sector and expansion of social safety net.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the 'Declaration' proposed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through Finance Bill 2013 to raise General Sales Tax from 16 to 17 percent without approval of the Parliament. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry termed Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1931 violative of fundamental rights, saying citizens' rights "cannot be exploited under Article 19 of the Constitution".

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan emphasised the need for all political parties to develop a consensus on attracting investment and chalking out a long-term economic policy irrespective of the party in power.