Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday commended the approval of the 2024-25 budget in the National Assembly (NA), promising to include the elite class and tax defaulters in the tax net.
During a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the prime minister lauded the finance minister and his team for preparing a “pro-people budget” that prioritizes the welfare of the common man and aims to steer the country toward economic prosperity.
PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the active participation of all treasury and opposition members in the budget session. He also praised the efforts of officers from the ministries of finance, planning, other relevant ministries, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in preparing the budget.
The government, he said, utilized all possible resources to provide maximum relief to the common man, particularly the salaried class, pensioners, and workers. The prime minister highlighted that special attention was given to important sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and information technology in the budget.
He emphasized that the elite class and tax defaulters would be brought into the tax net, stating it is unjust for the poor to pay taxes while the elites enjoy tax exemptions.
Expressing satisfaction with the economic situation, PM Shehbaz stated that the country’s economy is now on the right path, marking the beginning of Pakistan’s journey toward prosperity. He added that the government’s business-friendly policies have restored investors’ trust.
The prime minister noted that the government is taking steps to reform government departments and prioritize the privatization of loss-making state-owned entities.
Earlier in the day, the National Assembly approved the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, with a total outlay of Rs 18,870 billion. Finance and Revenue Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb moved the motion for consideration of the Finance Bill 2024, which gives effect to the financial proposals of the federal government for the year commencing on July 1, 2024.
The motion was passed by a majority vote, leading to the passage of the Finance Bill 2024 after a clause-by-clause reading and adoption of amendments following the due process of voting. All amendments presented by opposition members were rejected.
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