KARACHI: While reacting to the budget, the President of the Federal B. Area Association of Trade & Industry (FBATI), Sheikh Muhammad Tehseen, stated that though the budget contained certain positive measures for the selected sectors, yet it had failed to fully address the critical challenges being faced by the industrial and export sectors of the country.
He expressed serious concerns over the government’s silence regarding the long-pending issue of industrial refunds and the absence of any meaningful relief in energy tariffs.
He said that delayed refund payments continued to create severe liquidity constraints for the industries, particularly for the exporters, while high electricity and gas costs had been significantly eroding the competitiveness of Pakistani products in international markets.
Sheikh Tehseen noted that the budget lacked a comprehensive roadmap for industrial growth and did not present a vision capable of triggering an industrial revival.
He said that small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), which formed the backbone of the country’s manufacturing and export sectors, had not been provided with sufficient incentives, financing facilities, or tax relief measures. As a result, these industries would continue to face operational difficulties, limiting their ability to expand production, create employment opportunities, and increase exports.
The FBATI president emphasized that Pakistan’s economic stability and sustainable growth depended heavily on industrial expansion and export-led development. He said that without reducing the cost of doing business and providing a conducive environment for manufacturing, it would be difficult to achieve the government’s economic targets.
Commenting on the positive aspects of the budget, Sheikh Tehseen welcomed the relief measures announced for the property and travel sectors, stating that those initiatives might contribute to increased economic activity and investment.
However, he said that greater attention should have been given to the industrial and export sectors, which were the primary drivers of foreign exchange earnings and employment generation.
He urged the government to formulate a comprehensive post-budget industrial policy focused on export promotion, energy cost rationalization, timely refund payments, industrial modernization, and enhanced support for the SMEs. Such measures, he said, were essential for strengthening Pakistan’s industrial base, improving competitiveness, and ensuring long-term economic growth.
Sheikh Tehseen reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal B. Area Association of Trade & Industry to work closely with the government and relevant stakeholders for the development of industry and the promotion of exports, while continuing to advocate for policies that supported sustainable industrial growth and economic prosperity.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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