Finance Minister to Outline Fiscal Roadmap for New Financial Year
ISLAMABAD: All attention has turned to the federal government as it prepares to present the Budget 2026-27 in the National Assembly today, setting out its economic priorities, revenue measures and spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is scheduled to unveil the budget, which is expected to focus on sustaining economic stability while accelerating growth. The budget presentation follows months of consultations and comes amid growing expectations that the government will adopt a more growth-oriented approach after a period of economic consolidation.
Market sentiment remained positive ahead of the announcement, with investors anticipating business-friendly measures. The benchmark KSE-100 Index advanced during morning trading, reflecting optimism about the government’s economic strategy.
Officials have repeatedly stated that key economic indicators have improved over the past year, creating room for policies aimed at boosting investment, employment and industrial activity.
Economic Survey Highlights Recovery Momentum
The budget follows the release of the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, which reported gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.7 percent during the outgoing fiscal year.
Although the figure exceeded last year’s growth rate of 3.18 percent, it remained below the government’s target of 4.2 percent. According to the survey, the improvement was supported by macroeconomic stability, better fiscal management, exchange-rate stability, growth in large-scale manufacturing, agricultural resilience following the 2025 floods, and reforms implemented under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility programme.
Development Spending and Growth Targets Approved
Meanwhile, the National Economic Council (NEC) has approved a national development outlay of Rs3.669 trillion for fiscal year 2026-27, including Rs838 billion in foreign assistance.
The council also endorsed a GDP growth target of 4 percent for the next fiscal year. Development allocations include Rs1 trillion for the federal Public Sector Development Programme, Rs2.218 trillion for provincial development projects and Rs451 billion for state-owned enterprises.
The government is expected to build on these priorities as it unveils its comprehensive fiscal strategy for the year ahead.
