Don’t know why FBR man started bullying journalist @81ShahbazRana in the economic survey briefing today. If you have a genuine problem with someone’s reporting, take it up with the concerned. But you can’t just troll him if you have got no proof/misreporting issue at hand. Also, the man might be a “chill guy” in person, but he was sitting in front of hundreds of live cameras, ffs. Shame.
Last year the total agriculture income tax collected was less than Rs.10 billion and the tax collected on salaries was Rs. 606 billion...more than 50 times greater than agriculture income tax collection!!!
Pakistan’s proposed “tax relief” for salaried workers is a polished promise, not real reform: the government floats phased super-tax cuts and slab adjustments while keeping payroll deduction untouched, which means the most compliant, least able-to-evade segment remains the easiest cash cow with near-zero leakage. Meanwhile, the state is already clearing plans to abolish the super tax and pursuing investor-friendly concessions for other sectors, preserving advantages for those with lobbying power and more room to avoid taxation.
The proposal offers incremental relief that sounds generous but does not fix the core cheat: a system where the visible, compliant class is taxed automatically while wealthier, less visible sectors negotiate their way out of their fair share.
Let it be known to all and sundry, your government and it's FBR failed again to bring one of the economy's largest sector - traders - into effective income tax net & the cycle of failure (read abetment to tax evasion) continues since 1993 and IMF remains partner in crime.
So proud to visit a #German Development Cooperation supported initiative in #KP, engaging with Parent Teacher Councils, Women Facilitation Desks & Khuli Kacheri beneficiaries. Empowering women, girls & persons with disabilities through inclusive public services & education.
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There was a reduction of 21 paisa in petrol price in international market. But the government further increased the tax by Rs17.91 per litre to increase price to Rs415.
What sort of economic management is this?
Now Government is charging Rs117.5 per litre levy on petrol. This is even higher than Rs80 per litre agreement with the IMF.
Economy has been rendered into an accounting exercise. The cost of failure of FBR and the failure to seek any relaxation from IMF in pre-war targets is paid by common people.
Without any doubt @Kamran_Yousaf reporting on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end US illegal war against Iran was excellent and he reminded far ahead of his competitors. Brilliant work during the past one month. 👏
1. We invaded not because the threat was imminent, but because it was not. Iran was weak.
2. The negotiations were a pretext.
3. There was no day after plan. This is, after all, the "let's-see-what-happens" presidency.
4. Hoping the Iranian people will rise up is not a strategy.
5. This is a giant step toward getting more embroiled in the Middle East, exactly what he promised not to do.
This comparison clearly shows how unfairly Pakistan’s salaried class is taxed. At an equivalent income, Pakistan extracts the highest effective tax rate among the countries mentioned, despite providing little to no public services in return as compared to other countries in the table. While figures may vary slightly, the conclusion remains the same: the burden of revenue collection is placed squarely on the already struggling salaried class, because they are the easiest to tax. Instead of broadening the tax base, the state continues to squeeze documented, law-abiding earners—making Pakistan a leader not in welfare, but in over-taxing its poorest salaried citizens.
In a country where we can’t even agree on the sighting of the new moon or crescent, it’s not a surprise that we cannot agree whether the privatisation of PIA yesterday was a good thing or not. I never shy away from the criticising or critiquing the economic and energy policies of this government. But the privatisation of PIA is a good step for Pakistan and our aviation industry. Best wishes to the new owners.
Northern Bypass started in 2008 has jumped from Rs. 2.5 billion to Rs. 30 billion largely due to slow federal funding. It requires around Rs. 5 billion more. Let the KP government take over and complete this. @MuzzammilAslam3@SohailAfridiISF@CSKPOfficial
@KhurramHusain Just read this insightful piece by @KhurramHusain excellent analysis and beautifully written. Worth noting how suffocating the situation feels, as if we’re all waiting for something to happen to set things right. A timely and important read.
A reckoning is coming. Dragging out a painful economic stabilisation for this long without any breakout strategy is fueling political instability with the provincial govts in the cross hairs.
My piece in Dawn today.
https://t.co/1KtSnBVKnV