Expert Analysis: Federal Budget 2024-2025
After the unveiling of the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, experts have shared their opinions on the implications of the budget.
Budget is a ‘Lost Opportunity’: Miftah Ismail
Former finance minister Miftah Ismail criticized the budget, calling it a lost opportunity. He expressed concerns about increased taxes on retailers and manufacturers.
Pleasant Surprises: Nasir Jamal
Dawn’s senior reporter Nasir Jamal found some pleasant surprises in the budget, particularly the attempts to tax the real estate market and document the retail sector.
Not Much of a Reform Effort: Khurram Husain
Business journalist Khurram Husain was not impressed with the reform efforts in the budget, stating that more details are needed to assess the elimination of tax exemptions.
Challenging Times Ahead: Adil Nakhoda
Economist Adil Nakhoda highlighted concerns about the budget’s focus on higher taxes for the formal sector and lack of policies to boost industrial growth.
Budget Brings ‘A Fresh Perspective’: Maha Rehman
Economist Maha Rehman appreciated certain aspects of the budget, such as widening the tax net and allocating funds for digitization and automation.
Overall, experts have mixed opinions on the budget, with some seeing it as a missed opportunity for reform while others find elements of positivity and fresh perspectives. The budget’s impact on different sectors and the overall economy remains to be seen.