No Mini-Budget on the Horizon, Assures Finance Minister

ISLAMABAD (Daily Pakistan Online) Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reassured the nation that no mini-budget is in the offing, describing recent talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as “constructive and purposeful.” In an interview with a private TV channel, Aurangzeb emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to achieving its ambitious tax collection target of Rs12.97 trillion.

The minister highlighted the government’s successful attainment of the primary surplus target as a key milestone in the country’s economic stability efforts. He also shared that the National Fiscal Pact had received cabinet approval, ruling out the need for revisions to the National Finance Commission (NFC) framework.

Aurangzeb expressed gratitude towards Sindh’s Chief Minister for supporting the fiscal pact and acknowledged the positive role of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in matters of national interest. On the privatisation front, the minister acknowledged the recent setback in the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), but vowed to continue efforts to advance privatisation.