The federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 is scheduled to be presented in the National Assembly on June 10, as per the timeline approved by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The finalized schedule outlines the key proceedings for budget-related debates, discussions, and voting sessions throughout the month.
Key Budget Session Dates:
-
June 10: Budget will be formally presented.
-
June 11–12: No assembly sessions.
-
June 13–21: General debate on the budget across all parliamentary groups.
-
June 22: No session.
-
June 23: Discussion on essential fiscal expenditures.
-
June 24–25: Deliberation and voting on budgetary demands, grants, and proposed cuts.
-
June 26: Debate and voting on the Finance Bill, followed by its formal approval.
-
June 27: Final discussions and votes on supplementary grants and other financial items, marking the end of the session.
Any revisions to this schedule will require the speaker’s formal consent.
Meanwhile, government sources indicate that while there has been a general improvement over the previous year, several economic goals were not met.
According to preliminary reports:
-
The GDP growth target of 3.6% was missed, with actual growth at 2.7%.
-
Inflation remained at 5%, significantly lower than the projected 12%.
-
Per capita income fell short by Rs34,794, totaling Rs509,174 compared to the Rs543,968 goal.
-
Indirect tax revenue surpassed targets, reaching Rs8,393 billion against a Rs7,799 billion aim.
Sectoral Performance:
-
Agriculture lagged behind, growing only 0.6% against a 2% target. Key crop outputs declined significantly, with cotton down by 30.7%, maize by 15.4%, and wheat by 8.9%.
-
Minor crops outperformed, achieving 4.8% growth (target: 4.3%), driven by gains in vegetables, fruits, spices, and fodder.
-
Industrial output rose by 4.8% (target: 4.4%) with improvements in textiles, automotive, and tobacco sectors, despite declines in food and chemicals.
-
Services sector posted 2.9% growth (target: 4.1%), while construction grew 6.6%, beating its 5.5% target.
-
Large-scale manufacturing fell by 1.5%, missing the 3.5% goal, whereas small industries rose by 8.8% (target: 8.2%).
-
Electricity, gas, and water supply saw a surge to 28.9%, well above the expected 2.5%.
-
The health and education sectors also exceeded targets, with growth at 3.7% and 4.4% respectively.
In addition, private sector borrowing increased significantly to Rs870 billion from Rs294 billion. Overall revenue grew by 36.7%, reaching Rs13,367 billion, with the tax-to-GDP ratio improving from 6% to 8%.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is expected to officially present the National Economic Survey for the current fiscal year tomorrow at 2:30 PM.
