People-friendly: The budget will definitely be people-friendly, but people must hire an expensive chartered accountant to understand the friendship.
Common man: The common man is always the main character in the budget drama, but never gets a speaking role. Road map: Yes, the budget will offer a roadmap; citizens beware the roadmap will lead directly to their wallets.
Budgetary relief: The budget will have a relief package, though citizens are advised not to make emotional attachments. Austerity: Austerity is expected, mostly from those who are already austere by force.
IMF: The IMF will not be mentioned in every sentence, but will be present between the lines. Tax net: The tax net will be widened again, mostly around those already trapped in it.
Development budget: The development budget will build many schools, hospitals, roads, safe drinking water schemes — especially on paper.
New revenue measure: Yes, there will be new revenue measures, because the old ones have become too familiar.
Relief promises: There will be promises of relief for the common man; the common man remains unavailable for comment.
Inflation: Yes, inflation will be controlled through strong statements – and zero purchasing power.
Non-filers: Yes, non-filers will be brought under pressure, while filers are wondering what prize they won by filing.
Stability: The finance minister will assure stability, while the rupee listens nervously.
Budget speech: Yes, the budget speech will be long, but the public’s patience is already in supplementary grants.
Broadening the base: The budget will aim to broaden the base, deepen the pain, and simplify nothing.
Public optimism: Public optimism before the budget is like pre-monsoon clouds: impressive, emotional, and never useful.
The writer is an Islamabad-based columnist.
