PM Shehbaz engages top business leaders on FY27 budget

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met a delegation of renowned industrialists and prominent business personalities in the country, including Mian Muhammad Mansha and Arif Habib, for consultation on the upcoming federal budget for FY 2026-27.

According to a statement, PM Shehbaz welcomed the delegation, terming the industrialists as “Pakistan’s ambassadors and identity”.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to the business community for standing with the government during difficult economic conditions.

“Strong partnership between the government and the private sector is the guarantee of economic progress”, he said, adding that consultation with the business community is of utmost importance in policy-making regarding Pakistan’s economy

“We are moving on the path of export-led growth; this is the central focus of our economic policy.”

The delegation included Mian Muhammad Mansha, Arif Habib, Atif Bajwa, Muhammad Ali Tabba, Musadaq Zulqarnain, Ziad Bashir, Shahzad Salim, Dr Zeelaf Munir, Omar Saeed, Umer Mansha, Yusuf Saeed, Kamran Arshad, Khurram Mukhtar, Asif Peer, Sultan Gohar Ijaz, Fawad Anwar, Zulfiqar Hayat, Javed Iqbal, Yusuf Hussain, Amir Ibrahim, Khawaja Masood Akhtar, and Ijaz Nabi.

PM shared that steps are being taken to bring the informal economy into the tax net. Whereas, measures are being included in the budget to provide relief to the public

“We are focusing on the promotion of industries that increase domestic production, boost exports, and create maximum employment opportunities he said, adding that growth in industry, agriculture, and information technology sectors will further stabilise the economy and create new employment opportunities.

During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the government’s measures for business, industry, and trade promotion.

It was said that reforms have been carried out in tax tribunals for the early disposal of tax cases. It was shared that recruitments in these tribunals have been made through a highly transparent process.

It was informed that a committee has been constituted regarding the establishment of Special Commercial Courts.

During the meeting, the business delegation appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for the restoration of peace in the region and commended the prime minister and his team, read the statement.

The business leaders appreciated the government’s vision for promoting digital payments and a documented economy.

The delegation welcomed the government’s initiatives regarding tax reforms and ease of doing business.

They also lauded the government for reducing electricity rates for industries, abolishing the Export Development Levy, and ensuring timely payment of tax refunds.

The participants appreciated the government’s decision to take the business community into confidence in the preparation of the upcoming budget.

The business leaders presented their suggestions regarding the strengthening of the national economy and the budget.

The delegation expressed its firm resolve to continue full cooperation with the government for economic recovery and development, read the statement.

The members appreciated the government’s commitment to industrial development, increasing exports, and creating new employment opportunities.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari and Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad.