Pakistan

Budget 2015-16 is pro-poor with rich kept in mind: Dar

Finance minister explains salient features of the new budget and clarifies misconceptions surrounding it

Web Desk June 06, 2015

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar addressing the media during the post-budget press conference. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting claims that the new budget for the year 2015-16 is a 'budget for the rich,' Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said it is 'pro-poor' with the rich in mind.

"This is a pro-poor budget but we also have to keep the rich in mind," the finance minister said, while explaining the salient features of the new budget for the year 2015-16 on Saturday.

Read: Budget 2015-16: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar unveils Rs4.451 tr budget

“Taxes have been levied on the affluent class and not the poor,” the finance minister said.

“It is a developmental and poor-friendly budget which would strengthen our national economy,” he added.

Addressing people's concerns over subsidies, Dar said, "People were worried about their subsidy ending in the budget so I want to clarify a few things."

“The subsidy for wheat in Gilgit-Baltistan has not been withdrawn,” the finance minister upheld.

Read: Defence spending goes up to Rs781 billion after 11% hike

Commenting on the cement industry, Dar admitted that an import duty has been imposed but explained, “It is only because our cement industry has potential.”

“Duty on high speed diesel, furnace oil has also not increased.”

Further, the finance minister explained, “Income support has been increased and it is for the most needy people.”

“We have taken into consideration the widows of the country who are still paying of loans and they are being covered in the new budget,” he added.

"It is the right of every widow. Their liabilities will be released by the govt."

COMMENTS (10)

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply ....and I thought Jimmy Fallon was funny.

Zahid | 9 years ago | Reply All bull shalt budget this is Munshee Sb budget no relieve for poor and middle class people God knows when this PLM N Government will go in haul

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Taimur | 9 years ago | Reply Just saw ARY news that govt has imposed 5% tax on Lunda Bazar items....LOL, next year, they are gonna impose tax on street beggars! Because you can also say that a number of beggars turned out to be millionaires when found out after death. Looking at how much our govt is eager to introduce new taxes, it seems quite possible that a 5% " Living Tax" will be imposed next year on those people who are lucky enough to survive this budget and the terrorism in the country!

M Saleem Chaudhry | 9 years ago | Reply What a ridiculous and childish statement of Dar, " Budget is propoor with rich kept in mind in Pakistan" mean? . A person holding such a top portfolio of Financé Ministery doesn't understand what his confusing statements convey to the people. Does he think that all Pakistanis are goofs or he himself is goofing around.

MSH | 9 years ago | Reply Shameful....Nawaz and Dar Should be ashamed of presenting thing budget Both have enmassed billions through corruption and bought property worth billions in Dubai,London and Saudi Arabia. These corrupt and criminals offering 7.5% to government servants and 1oo% to already rich grade 23 Secretary .Shame on PML Nawaz.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply just shut up, clients can hear your balderdash

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply This budget kept poor in mind but not those poor who live on rich sponsors money. The rich after facing huge taxes will not be left with enough money to support our poor leader of Bani Gala.

JD | 9 years ago | Reply Laborers wages increased by Rs 1000/- ... secretary level salary increased by 100%. Pro-poor indeed.

worldalllatestnews | 9 years ago | Reply Budget 2015 16 is pro poor with rich kept in mind in Pakistan.

Atheist_Pakisani | 9 years ago | Reply I hope he meant the 'taxes have been levied on the elite rich" and not on the already over taxed middle class which continue to get shrunk with current polices.

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