A light-hearted exchange drew attention during the launch of Pakistan’s National Economic Survey 2025-26 in Islamabad on Thursday. The interaction took place during a press conference attended by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial.
After the presentation of the Economic Survey, a journalist addressed the finance minister and raised concerns about the country’s taxation policies. However, he chose a humorous approach to highlight public sentiment regarding the growing tax burden.
The journalist jokingly remarked that the government had “even imposed a tax on sunlight.” He then added that citizens were now waiting to see whether a tax on breathing would be introduced in the future. His comment prompted laughter from many people present at the event.
In response, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb smiled and replied that the journalist had not actually asked a question. Instead, he said the remark reflected the journalist’s personal observation and analysis of the current situation. His response further added to the relaxed atmosphere in the room.
Meanwhile, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial also joined the conversation. He responded in a similarly humorous tone and said the finance minister would neither disappoint the journalist’s expectations nor “break his back.” His comment generated additional amusement among attendees.
The brief exchange quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the press conference. As a result, clips of the interaction began circulating across social media platforms shortly after the event.
Furthermore, many users shared their reactions online and linked the comments to wider debates about taxation policies in Pakistan. Several people viewed the journalist’s remarks as a reflection of public concerns over rising taxes and economic pressures.
Although the discussion remained humorous, it highlighted ongoing conversations about fiscal measures and revenue collection. Consequently, the exchange attracted significant public interest and became a talking point beyond the Economic Survey presentation.
