The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has welcomed several business- and growth-oriented measures announced in the Federal Budget 2026–27, describing them as positive signals that the government’s focus is shifting toward sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
While appreciating the budget measures, the Council stressed that long-term growth will depend on policy continuity and sustained structural reforms.
PBC Chairperson Dr. Zeelaf Munir said the budget reflects an increasing emphasis on economic growth despite fiscal constraints and operational challenges. She noted that the relief measures announced for businesses and individuals indicate an effort to support productive economic activity while maintaining engagement with stakeholders.
She added that the measures should be viewed as an important beginning rather than a complete solution, emphasizing that consistent policymaking will be critical for maintaining investor and business confidence.
PBC Chief Executive Officer Javed Kureishi said the budget demonstrates that the government is listening to concerns raised by Pakistan’s formal business sector. He welcomed changes related to the super tax, relief for salaried taxpayers, and measures aimed at reducing the tax burden on export proceeds, saying these steps would improve liquidity for exporters.
Kureishi said these issues had been consistently raised by the Council in discussions with policymakers and welcomed the progress made in addressing them. He also acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the finance team in formulating the budget and expressed hope that engagement between the government and the private sector would continue during the implementation phase.
The Council urged the government to maintain momentum on expanding the tax base by bringing untaxed and undertaxed sectors into the formal economy, thereby reducing pressure on compliant taxpayers.
PBC also called for faster reforms in the energy sector to lower industrial power costs, accelerated privatization of loss-making state-owned enterprises, and the adoption of a multi-year reform agenda to provide businesses with greater certainty for investment and expansion.
The Council said investor confidence ultimately depends on predictable policies and effective implementation, adding that reforms must continue beyond a single budget cycle if Pakistan is to achieve durable and inclusive economic growth.
PBC further appreciated the government’s economic team for its engagement with the private sector during the budget process and expressed its commitment to continuing dialogue with policymakers to support the country’s economic objectives.
