NA panel says budget needs deeper economic reforms

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has said Pakistan needs to continue structural economic reforms as it reviews the federal budget for FY2026-27.

At a meeting chaired by MNA Syed Naveed Qamar on Saturday, the committee examined the budget and discussed its broader economic direction, according to a news release. The panel underlined the need for measures aimed at consolidating economic stability and supporting sustainable growth.

During the discussion, Qamar said the budget contains a series of gradual changes but does not adequately tackle the country’s deeper structural economic problems. He said long-term growth would require wider reforms focused on expanding the tax base, making public spending more efficient, improving debt management, and encouraging investment and productivity.

The committee was also given a presentation by a team of financial experts titled Post-Budget Analysis of the Federal Budget FY 2026-27, as lawmakers continued their review of the government’s fiscal plan.