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Punjab to present Rs5.3 trillion tax-free budget for FY2026-27 today

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The Punjab government is to present its tax-free budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 today (Tuesday) in the 43rd session of the Punjab Assembly summoned by the provincial governor.

Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman will submit the budget and table key financial documents including annual financial statement for FY2026-27, supplementary budget for FY2025-26 and Punjab Finance Bill 2026.

He is also anticipated to table suggested revisions under Sections 5 and 76 of the Punjab Sales Tax on Services Act, 2012 and the province’s Fiscal Risk Statement.

The proposed budget outlay is around Rs5.3 trillion, official sources say. Punjab is likely to get over Rs4.4 trillion under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award while provincial income collection is estimated to be around Rs1 trillion.

The budget is likely to have Rs 700 billion plus for development expenditure and Rs 800 billion for Punjab Finance Commission. Rs650 billion for salaries and Rs505 billion for pension payments have been earmarked.

Salary hikes for government employees are expected to be in line with those announced by the federal government.

The Annual Development Programme (ADP) encompasses 3,560 development schemes and Rs493.25 billion is proposed for continuing projects and Rs258.75 billion for new schemes.

Major projects planned for the next fiscal year include inauguration of Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, expansion of the Chief Minister’s Laptop Programme and continuation of funding for the Kisan Card, Livestock Card and Parwaaz Card International Placement Programme.

The budget also proposed to establish Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology and Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, police have tightened security outside the Punjab Assembly ahead of the budget session, anticipating opposition protests.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Assembly will gather on Wednesday to submit the provincial budget. Strict security measures have been set for the session including a restriction on armed government and private security personnel entering the assembly secretariat during the proceedings.

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Business

ECC allows increase in dealers’ margin on fuel, diesel

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As a result of the approval of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the margin that dealers make on gasoline and diesel has been increased by Rs1.34 per liter respectively.

In the course of an ECC meeting that was presided over by Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, who is the Minister of Finance, the decision was made.

As a result of the approval, the manufacturers’ profit margin on gasoline and diesel will go up from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per liter.

This action is being taken with the intention of addressing the concerns of petroleum dealers and increasing the practicality of operations at gas stations.

Nauman Butt, Vise Chairman of the All Pakistan Petroleum Pumps Owners Association, expressed his satisfaction with the decision and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Petroleum Minister for their approval of the hike.

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Govt, goods transporters meet today as strike enters 8th day

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 – President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shahzad Awan, has said that the peaceful strike of goods transporters across the country has entered the eighth day, however, the path to negotiations with the government is open.

Malik Shahzad Awan said that important talks will be held on Sunday (today) at Governor House Karachi with representatives of the federal and provincial governments.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Punjab Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar, Governor Sindh, Minister for Transport Sindh and other government representatives will participate in the talks.

The President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance said that transporters across Pakistan have been on a peaceful protest and strike for the past eight days. The nationwide strike will continue until the transporters’ demands are met, he said.

Shahzad Awan expressed hope that the problems would be resolved soon through negotiations with government representatives and the transport wheel would start moving again.

He appealed to transporters across the country to remain peaceful and said that he hoped to receive good news very soon.

He said that the transporters will not be satisfied with mere assurances from the federal and provincial governments but want practical acceptance of their demands.

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US diplomat claims bilateral trade between US, Pakistan exceeds 8 billion dollars

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Bilateral commerce between the United States and Pakistan topped $8 billion in 2025, showing increasing prospects for economic collaboration between the two countries, said US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker.

Baker’s comments followed her visit to Lahore on August 11 and 12 where she met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Adviser Ali Dar, business leaders and technological specialists.

The sessions focused on artificial intelligence (AI), higher education, innovation, trade and measures to encourage investment between the two countries, the US Embassy said.

The United States was dedicated to continuing to work with Pakistan’s corporate sector, universities, innovators and government institutions to expand cooperation in developing sectors, Baker said.

She welcomed the strong growth of technology sector in Pakistan and said the two nations should further enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, AI and emerging technologies.

The US diplomat also noted prospects in software development, digital services and artificial intelligence.

“We need to grow our bilateral commercial relations,” Baker said, adding that trade between the two countries reached more than $8 billion in 2025.

The US educational knowledge might provide new ways for Pakistani children to learn and help build deeper economic relations between Pakistan and the US, she noted.

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