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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PPP threatens budget session boycott, again
In a familiar turn of events, the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) - a key ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) - strongly objected to the federal budget on Monday, accusing the government of discriminating against Sindh and threatening a potential boycott of the budget approval process. The criticism has come during the budget season when internal tensions between the coalition partners annually surface before they are settled, at least till now. Last year, a similar standoff between PPPP and PMLN had emerged, which the main opposition party had dubbed a "fixed fight" aimed at deflecting attention from public scrutiny. Seeing both PPPP and PMLN at odds once again, sources said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has offered PPPP its support in blocking the budget if it was serious. Sources said that PTI's senior leader Asad Qaiser met PPPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf at Parliament House and proposed that if PPPP was serious about boycotting the vote, the opposition party was ready to coordinate efforts. Hoping to create a schism between the ruling party and its key ally, Qaiser reportedly said that a joint stance could increase pressure on the government. However, Ashraf reportedly assured Qaiser that the offer would be conveyed to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is expected to join parliamentary proceedings soon. Addressing journalists earlier, PPPP central spokesperson Shazia Atta Marri described the 2025-26 federal budget as a "dangerous game" being played with Sindh. She alleged that federal projects under the Public Works Department (PWD) meant for Sindh have been transferred to the federal housing ministry rather than being handed over to the provincial government, unlike similar projects in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Marri alleged that transferring PWD's urban development projects to the federal ministry was a violation of provincial autonomy. "It seems they believe Sindh is not capable of managing its own schemes, while other provinces are considered competent," she said. Emphasizing if Sindh's development projects are not handed over to the province, she said, PPP will not hesitate to take extreme measures – possibly withdrawing support to the federal government. She revealed that PPP initially refrained from giving a strong reaction as talks with the ruling party were ongoing and there was hope that Sindh's PSDP allocations and federal commitments would be honored. However, she said, it was now clear that not only Sindh but also Punjab, particularly central Punjab and the Seraiki belt, have been neglected in the budget. She also criticized reduced funding for Sindh's universities, calling the allocation of Rs2.5 billion instead of the expected Rs4.8 billion unacceptable. On energy, Marri pointed out a contradiction in government policy, questioning the rationale of imposing an 18% tax on solar panels while terming solar energy a national priority. Citing further discrepancies, Marri noted that just Rs15 billion funds have been allocated for the Sukkur Motorway in the budget, when its total cost of the project is Rs400 billion. She also claimed that PPPP lawmakers in Punjab were sidelined in PSDP allocations and that the Seraiki belt was largely ignored. She concluded by saying the party's final decision, including any potential boycott, would be made in consultation with PPP chairman and that objections will be raised across all relevant forums before the PMLN government. "We are pursuing a firm strategy. If the government fails to listen, our response will be equally firm," she warned. Last year, PMLN and PPPP also had face-off as main ally of PML-N government had only a token participation in the National Assembly's budget session after the ruling party didn't bother to address PPPP's reservations about budget. "The PML-N has violated the agreement that it reached with PPPP before forming the government in the Center as it has not taken any input from its key ally in the PSDP budget," Marri had shared with The Express Tribune last year, "the government is taking us for granted." Subsequently, PPP had linked its support for the budget and other issues to receiving more share of power in Punjab after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal. In addition to receiving "more space" in Punjab and its set-up, it had emerged that the PPP sought additional development budget for its lawmakers in the province.
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pension, tax relief thresholds: FBR working on two major budget proposals
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is working on two major budget proposals including taxation of pension above certain high threshold and increase in existing income tax exemption threshold from next fiscal year (2025-26). Sources told Business Recorder that both the proposals would be submitted before the prime minister for approval. However, working on these proposals has been started in the FBR. The first proposal is to impose some nominal tax on pensions where very high amount is paid under the head of 'pensions'. Initially, this may cover Grade-22 retired officials and others in same category. Respite only for salaried individuals as FY26 budget to be 'tough' without GST relief: FBR chief For instance, if a retired person is getting pension of or above Rs0.4 million per month or Rs4.8 million per annum, it may be subjected to some nominal tax on pension. A tax rate of 2.5 percent can be considered for taxation of pension on a monthly basis. There are cases people are enjoying luxurious lifestyle along with drawing high amount of monthly pension. The proposal has been drafted only for persons receiving very high pension amount, but not to be applicable for pensioners receiving lower amounts of pensions. A former FBR Member Tax Policy told this scribe that it would be a political decision whether the government is ready to taxpensions above certain high threshold. This may cover retired judiciary, bureaucrats and senior retired armed forces officials, he added. The second proposal is to raise the income tax exemption threshold of Rs0.6 million under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. This is a relief measure for the general public to considerably enhance exemption threshold of income tax, the sources added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Coal share in power sector grows
The increased use of local coal has directly lowered power generation costs. In March 2025, the average fuel cost per unit dropped to Rs12.2, down 27% from Rs16.8 a year earlier. photo: file Listen to article Pakistan's power sector is shifting as locally mined coal gains a larger share in electricity generation, easing energy costs and reducing dependence on imports. According to a recent report of Topline Securities, power generation in March 2025 reached 8,409 gigawatt-hours (GWh), marking a 5% annual increase and a 21% jump from February 2025. The standout figure, however, was the 62% year-on-year surge in electricity produced from local coal, which climbed to 1,393 GWh in March 2025 compared to 862 GWh in the same month of last year. This growth has elevated local coal's contribution to the national energy mix to 17%, up from 11% a year earlier, signalling a strategic pivot towards indigenous resources. For decades, local coal reserves in Thar, Sindh, estimated at 175 billion tons, remained untapped due to technical challenges and limited investment. However, the energy crisis of the 2010s, marked by prolonged blackouts and soaring import bills, pushed the government to rethink its strategy. By 2014, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), projects to develop Thar's coal fields and build associated power plants gained momentum. The coal-fired plants operational since 2019 have generated over 27,000 GWh of electricity at a fuel cost of just Rs4.8 per unit, a fraction of the Rs19.5 per unit cost for imported coal. This shift has saved Pakistan approximately $1.3 billion in foreign exchange, according to the Sindh government. Meanwhile, the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, located in Punjab and commissioned in 2017, was one of CPEC's early ventures, which initially relied on imported coal but has gradually incorporated Thar coal into its operations. Power sector stakeholders said that Thar's development faced hurdles, including scepticism about the quality of lignite coal, which has high moisture content and lower energy efficiency. However, advancements in mining technology and boiler designs tailored to Thar's coal specifications enabled breakthroughs. By 2022, the Thar coalfield began supplying coal to power plants across the country, including Port Qasim Electric and Hubco's plants, which were converted to handle local coal. The expansion of mining operations and infrastructure, such as upgraded railways for coal transport, further accelerated adoption. Environmental concerns, however, linger. Coal combustion emits greenhouse gases, and Thar's arid region faces water scarcity, raising questions about sustainable mining practices. "Thar coal is a double-edged sword, while it provides affordable energy and energy security, we are actively investing in technologies to minimise ecological impact, including plans for carbon capture and renewable energy hybrids," said a power sector official while talking to The Express Tribune. As per the report, the increased use of local coal has directly lowered power generation costs. In March 2025, the average fuel cost per unit dropped to Rs12.2, down 27% from Rs16.8 a year earlier. Monthly comparisons also showed an 11% reduction from February's Rs13.8 per unit. "These savings are critical for a country where high energy prices have troubled industries and households," said the official. Local coal has been a game changer for Pakistan's energy independence, but "we are equally committed to expanding solar, wind, and hydro projects to ensure a sustainable mix". "Coal is a bridge, not the destination, and as a country we are balancing cost-effective energy with global climate commitments by diversifying into renewables, while optimising coal use," the official added.
