Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government plans to gradually reduce direct taxes to provide relief to the business community and promote economic growth. He made these remarks while launching the PSDP Data Portal at the Ministry of Planning, describing the initiative as a step toward promoting transparency, investment, and private sector development.
The government is working to create a business-friendly environment by encouraging exporters, investors, and industrial stakeholders to do business in the country. He stressed that regulatory clarity and policy consistency are necessary to restore investor confidence and ensure sustainable economic growth.
Acknowledging recent challenges, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has faced political uncertainty, economic pressures, and global instability. He noted that although some economic indicators have improved, ordinary citizens have yet to feel real relief due to inflation and rising living costs.
Referring to Pakistan’s IMF programme, he emphasized the need to maintain fiscal discipline and continue economic reforms. He said expanding the tax base remains essential while reducing pressure on compliant sectors and improving revenue collection.
During Senate discussions, Senator Sherry Rehman observed that while the economy may appear stable on paper, people’s daily lives have not improved significantly. She also raised concerns that indirect taxes collected from industries such as sugar, cement, and tobacco were not fully contributing to the national kitty.
The prime minister concluded that long-term planning, institutional reforms, and collective national efforts are necessary to ensure that economic stability translates into practical relief for the public.
