Urooj Niazi 
economists’ pac seminar on the 2025 26 pre budget
Economists hold PAC seminar on Pakistan’s 2025-26 budget outlook
Recently IBA Karachi arranged a pre-budget seminar entitled “Pakistan Economic Outlook for Budget 2025-26” at its main campus. The Center for Business and Economics Research (CBER) arranged the seminar at the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS).
The seminar brought together economists, academics, and policymakers to look at the conditions of the economy and what to expect from the Federal Budget 2025-26.
Dr Miftah Ismail, the former Finance Minister of Pakistan, was one of the featured speakers. He pointed out one area of concern for the government, which is having to meet its revenue targets which he pointed out were ambitious, in the upcoming fiscal year.
Dr Miftah Ismail pointed out that Pakistan already has one of the higher tax rates as it is, and warned that escalating taxes again would be difficult and strangle economic growth.
The conference also focused on inflation and public debt with an eye toward long-term measures. Experts emphasized the need for an efficient tax collection system that makes the country less reliant (ideally not needing) on foreign borrowing.
The seminar aimed to provide a foundation and some pragmatic policy recommendations to provide stability to Pakistan’s economy as the 2025-26 announcement for the budget is around the corner.
