KCCI says budget lacks steps for economic growth
KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has criticised the federal budget 2025-26, describing it as a 'more enforcement, less progressive' budget that lacks substantial measures for economic growth.
Speaking to the media after the budget announcement by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, alongside KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani and other industry representatives, acknowledged the budget's technical soundness but expressed concerns over its limited focus on growth-oriented policies.
Motiwala highlighted a significant imbalance in the budget's approach, noting that while import-related incentives have been proposed, there are no corresponding relief measures for exports. 'This is technically a sound budget but measures for economic growth are missing in it,' he stated.
The business leader criticised the budget as a 'camouflage' document, suggesting that crucial details would emerge only after implementation. He expressed disappointment that despite the federal minister's emphasis on digitalisation, FBR's strict enforcement, and revenue collection, no attention was paid to exports growth and industrialisation. 'No measures were proposed in this budget for reduction in cost of doing business and cost of production.'
Chairman BMG criticised the government for setting overly ambitious goals despite the country's poor economic performance in the previous fiscal year, during which all major targets, including GDP growth and fiscal consolidation, were missed. He questioned the rationale behind increasing the targets without providing any practical explanation of how these would be achieved, especially in a fragile economic environment dominated by uncertainty, high inflation, and IMF-imposed constraints.
While acknowledging positive developments such as the reduction in interest rates, current account surplus, and a $2 billion increase in foreign reserves, he criticised the government's decision to increase gas tariffs. 'Prime fuel for export sector is gas and the government is increasing the tariff instead of reducing it.'
The KCCI leader expressed disappointment over the agriculture sector's poor performance, which showed a depressing growth of just 0.6 percent against the ambitious target of 13 percent. He also criticized the allocation of only Rs1000 billion for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) calling it woefully inadequate, particularly in light of the deteriorating state of infrastructure. 'It is surprising to see a meagre allocation of Rs2.783 billion for climate change in a country which has witnessed increased frequency of climate-related disasters,' he added.
While acknowledging that the budget was presented under strict IMF conditions, he said that despite being technically compliant, it fails to address the pressing needs of Pakistan's industrial sector or its citizens. He described the budget as one that may satisfy external lenders but does not offer any practical hope for businesses or the wider population.
Vice Chairman BMG Anjum Nisar underscored the importance of establishing a fair and transparent taxation system that does not rely on intimidation or arbitrary enforcement. He warned that the environment being created through the proposed fiscal measures could foster fear among businesses instead of encouraging growth.
He said that Karachi remains the economic lifeline of Pakistan and deserves special attention to unlock its full potential. Rather than continuously burdening it with revenue responsibilities, the government should empower it with infrastructure investment and policy support to enable it to contribute even more to the national economy.
President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani rejected the budget, stating it completely failed to offer any meaningful relief to the industrial sector or the general public. He said the government's claim of reduced inflation does not align with the realities faced by households, where electricity bills remain unaffordable and basic necessities are out of reach.
He criticised the lack of measures to reduce electricity tariffs and interest rates, which are key drivers of the high cost of doing business. He emphasised that without addressing these core issues, neither industrial expansion nor job creation is possible. The high cost of energy and borrowing has severely impacted the viability of businesses, and without urgent intervention, many enterprises may not survive.
Bilwani expressed concern over the government's over-reliance on remittances and IMF programs to manage the economy, calling it an unsustainable and short-sighted approach. He stressed the need to develop a conducive environment for industrial growth, which is the only way to improve key economic indicators. He also criticised the minimal allocation for long-delayed infrastructure projects like K-IV, terming it a sign of the government's disregard for Karachi's needs and its vital contribution to the national economy.
Despite repeated demands from the business community, no concrete steps have been taken to broaden the tax net or introduce structural economic reforms, which remain essential for long-term economic stability, he said, raising concerns about agricultural governance, noting that while the sector didn't perform when it was a federal subject, its transfer to provincial governments under the 18th Amendment has not yielded the expected improvements.
Calling the entire budget an eye wash, Bilwani expressed frustration over the government's failure to implement serious measures for broadening the tax base, noting that the country continues to rely heavily on home remittances rather than expanding domestic revenue sources.
However, not all business associations shared the KCCI's pessimistic assessment.
The President of the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) termed it a 'public friendly budget,' welcoming its potential to provide relief to common citizens, particularly the salaried class.
The KCAA president also praised the government's decision to reduce overall customs tariffs to rational levels over the next five years, describing the budget as 'so far so good.'
Meanwhile, Mashood Khan, an expert of auto sector said that the FM's budget speech closely mirrors the IMF's recommendations. The downward trend in additional customs duty, regulatory duty and customs duty will likely hit local manufacturing instead of exports in the future, foreseeing severe consequences for our local manufacturing industry. He said that the auto parts and other manufacturing sectors would face significant challenges, urging FM to revisit the budget before seeking approval from the National Assembly.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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