ISLAMABAD: Leading business bodies, including the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and chambers from across the country, on Wednesday urged the government to reduce the cost of doing business, clear pending refunds, ensure competitive energy prices, abolish the super tax and address key tax-related issues.
The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue met at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandiwalla to discuss economic priorities ahead of the federal budget for FY2026-27. The session formed part of the committee’s pre-budget consultations, aimed at incorporating stakeholder input early in the budget process.
At the outset, the chairperson said stakeholders had been engaged in advance to help identify and resolve anomalies before the budget’s finalisation, adding that early consultation was essential for more effective policymaking.
Representatives from major chambers of commerce and industry submitted written proposals, including delegations from the FPCCI, and the Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Sialkot chambers, as well as representatives from Quetta, Gujranwala, Attock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the former Fata and Pata regions, Sarhad and Gujrat, among others.
Committee members and stakeholders presented proposals covering taxation, levies, import and export regulations, trade facilitation and investor concerns. Participants also raised issues related to hidden charges and broader business conditions.
An open discussion allowed stakeholders to highlight sector-specific challenges and suggest remedies. The committee reviewed the submissions in detail to identify practical and implementable measures.
Following the consultations, the committee compiled the proposals and forwarded them to the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue for review and possible incorporation into the budget.
