Tarar invites opposition to sign charter of economy, defends FY27 budget

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday called on the opposition to join a Charter of Economy as he mounted a defence of the federal budget for 2026-27 during proceedings in the National Assembly.

Speaking on the floor of the house, Tarar credited the government’s economic management for what he described as improved conditions and presented the budget as a measure aimed at broad relief. He told lawmakers that the government’s policy approach had been prudent and said the latest budget was designed to benefit different segments of society.

In his remarks, the minister said the budget had proposed the abolition of the super tax, adding that the move had the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He also pointed to an increase in revenue and foreign remittances, and urged opposition members to acknowledge what he described as the government’s sound decisions, including its efforts related to peace in the Middle East.

Tarar said the economy had moved onto a better course. "It’s a friendly and relief-oriented budget for all," he said. He also asserted: "Today the economy is on the right track,"

Budget debate under way in National Assembly

The federal government had presented the FY27 budget on June 12, announcing relief measures for salaried individuals, companies, the real estate sector and exporters in an effort to support economic activity. The proposals place greater weight on enforcement steps instead of broad-based new taxation, though they also include taxes on social media income and a fixed tax scheme for small traders and shopkeepers.

The National Assembly formally opened a general discussion on the budget on Saturday. Lawmakers delivered lengthy speeches that largely focused on political matters and constituency concerns rather than the budget’s detailed proposals.

On the first day of the debate, Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai criticised the government’s move to freeze development allocations for the provinces.

PTI challenges minister’s claims

Responding to Tarar during the assembly session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Qaiser accused the minister of misrepresenting the facts, particularly in relation to the party’s communication with the International Monetary Fund.

Qaiser said PTI had not written anything against the country in its letter to the IMF. "Has he (minister) read the letter that PTI wrote to the IMF? We have not written anything against Pakistan," he said.