ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the government will address the “disproportionate burden” placed on the salaried class due to high taxes, urging other sectors to contribute more to alleviate the strain.
Speaking to reporters, Aurangzeb acknowledged the financial strain on both the manufacturing industry and salaried individuals, stating, “We will make every effort in the upcoming budget to reassess this burden and work towards rationalising it.”
He emphasised that other income groups and industries must also play their part by paying higher taxes.
For the first time, he noted, Pakistan’s provincial assemblies had passed the agriculture income tax bill, setting a precedent for other sectors.
“In the same way, the real estate, wholesale, and retail sectors must also step up, so the tax burden can be more fairly distributed across different categories,” he added.
Regarding the Pakistani diaspora, he expressed satisfaction with the response to government policies, thanking overseas Pakistanis for their continued support.
Furthermore, he highlighted that remittances have surged, with the government expecting them to reach approximately $35 billion this year, up from $30.2 billion in 2024.
