ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged that Pakistan has endured significant challenges over the past 15 months, with the burden falling primarily on the common man.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said that the salaried class carried the burden in the previous budget.

He emphasized that the elite must answer how much they contributed in taxes compared to salaried individuals. “The country went through tremendous challenges, and it was the ordinary citizen who made the sacrifices,” he remarked.

He said that the government’s performance during difficult times is no ordinary achievement, and now Pakistan must move towards take-off.

The Prime Minister further stated, “We have decisively defeated an enemy who can no longer use water as a weapon against us.”

Earlier, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, during his budget address, announced a 10% increase in the salaries of government employees and officers across all grades (1 to 22), alongside a 7% rise in pensions. However, a 5% tax will now apply to annual pensions exceeding Rs. 10 million. Additionally, a new carbon levy of Rs. 2.5 per liter has been implemented on both petrol and diesel.

Estimated expenditure is Rs 16,286 billion:

The government has projected total ongoing expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year at Rs. 16,286 billion. A substantial portion of this, approximately Rs. 8,207 billion, is allocated for interest payments on loans.

It is proposed to keep Rs 1,055 billion for pensions. It is proposed to allocate Rs 971 billion for running government affairs.