Information minister highlights substantial tax relief for salaried class in budget debate

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said the budget for the next financial year is relief-oriented and caters to the demands of all segments of society.

The minister said this participating in the budget debate in the National Assembly, as the discussion on the budget for the next financial year continues in the lower house, Radio Pakistan reported.

He noted that the budget has received a positive response from various quarters, including economists and opinion makers. He said the government welcomes constructive proposals from the opposition but emphasised that the positive measures introduced in the budget should also be acknowledged by members of the opposition.

The information minister said that the country has achieved macroeconomic stability as a result of the consistent efforts of the present government. He also credited the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his contributions towards economic stability. Expressing confidence in the country’s economic outlook, he said Pakistan’s economy is now firmly on the path of growth.

Tarar highlighted that substantial relief has been given to the salaried class in the budget, emphasizing that this relief is for the entire salaried class. “There is no tax on those earning up to Rs50,000, while those earning between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 per month are subject to a tax rate of only 1%,” he pointed out.

The information minister also alluded to the relief given to the exporters in the budget. He noted that relief for the construction sector, as well as the Apna Ghar Scheme, will boost economic activity in the country and provide job opportunities for people.

Referring to reforms in the FBR, Tarar said such a system has been introduced under which taxpayers will no longer bear the burden of those who do not pay taxes.

Participating in the discussion, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar said that the development of Balochistan should be prioritised in the budget. He said efforts should be made to address the water problems of Quetta.

Shahid Ahmed emphasised that peace is important to promote tourism in the country.  “Low-income groups are faced with difficulties due to inflation and higher prices of petroleum products,” he said.

Syed Hussain Tariq said short-term and long-term policy measures are necessary to address unemployment effectively. He also emphasised for introducing latest technology in the agri sector.

Asad Qaiser said that relief and subsidies should be given to the farmers keeping in view the inflation.

Responding to some of Qaiser’s remarks, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal recalled that senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were imprisoned during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. He said PML-N leaders were implicated in fake cases at that time.

Sharmila Faruqui said that the budget envisages nothing concrete for the youth. She also voiced concerns over the circular debt of the energy sector.

Amir Dogar demanded reduction in petroleum levy to provide relief to the common man. He said allocations for the construction of water reservoirs should be enhanced.

Shahida Begum said the government should consider reducing the GST to provide relief to the poor people.

Syed Waseem Hussain highlighted the problems faced by Karachi, emphasizing these should be addressed.

Responding to the points of Syed Waseem Ahmad, Planning and Development Minister Iqbal said the Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway will be completed in the next three to four years.

He said that work has started on the new alignment of M-9 Karachi-Hyderabad. He said K-4 project will be completed by the end of this year, following which the provincial government will carry out its augmentation.

“The federal government also provided a grant for the establishment of a university in Hyderabad,” he said.