Budget 2018-19

Rs350b budget is 6.6% higher than the previous one

Proposal is to increase rates of three tariff slabs of 3%, 11% and 16% by another 1%

Will start business web portal soon to facilitate SMEs in selling products

The LCCI president said 1 million acre feet of water gives benefit valued at $2 billion

Disagreement remains on tax collection target for 2018-19

Federal cabinet approves budget strategy paper offering little for development

Could impose flat 2% sales tax on all fertiliser products; industry opposes proposals

Military will get only a regular increase

Decrease is due to shrinking fiscal space and approval of new armed forces development plan

Amount is 63% higher than current year’s original estimates

APCC will approve macroeconomic framework and federal PSDP on Monday

Mood in Washington to be assessed before Islamabad weighs bailout option

Investment-to-GDP ratio stands at 16.4% against target of 17.2%; savings slipped even below last year’s level

US owes $9 billion to Pakistan spent on war against terrorism, says finance adviser Miftah Ismail

IPR says flawed policies for decades have caused Pakistan to lag behind

National Accounts Committee works out the rate on basis of 7-8 months data

Work on addressing structural issues and increasing exports needs to continue

Former prime minister directs providing relief for salaried class

CM’s finance adviser says suggestions being taken from stakeholders, budget experts and finance department officials

Recommendations include availability of electricity and gas, tariff rationalisation

Request comes after other ministries demanded almost Rs2tr for PSDP

Income tax exemption threshold increased to Rs1.2m

FBR data shows Rs102 billion was transferred last tax year

Pervaiz Malik says rupee devaluation, uninterrupted power supply have helped

Aide to prime minister says rates of withholding taxes will increase

The President’s Secretariat would get roughly Rs1 billion and the PM Office budget will also be close to Rs1 billion

Cabinet puts off decision, asks FBR to come up with proposals at the time of budget

Industry hints at about 8% cut in retail prices of processed milk if taxes are lowered

If passed, measure will see 90% cut in tax burden on lowest income group; relief is worth Rs67b

Says high tax impacts inflation, promotes smuggling and tax evasion

ICAP seeks abolishment of super tax, tax on bonus shares

Has sent a list of 515 items to FBR requesting reduced rates

Finance ministry proposes budget of Rs800b, one-fifth less than allocated for PSDP this year

PM has also summoned meeting of Council of Common Interest on 27th

Wants government to encourage investment in under-pressure stock market