ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has presented Rs. 18,877 billion federal budget 2024-25 at the National Assembly amid slogans raised by the opposition.

The gross revenue receipts have been estimated at Rs. 17,815 billion. The collection of revenue by FBR (Rs. 12, 970 Billion) is included in it so is the non-tax revenue (Rs. 4,845 Billion).

According to Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan will see a growth rate of 3.6% during the coming fiscal year; 12% inflation is expected; budget deficit will be 6.9% of GDP; Primary Surplus will be 1% of the GDP while Rs. 9,775 Billion will go to interest payment.

Finance Minister said that Rs. 2,122 Billion will be provided for the defense while Rs. 15,000 Billion will go to development. Cynics (still perplexed by the revelation that just in Dubai, Pakistanis own real estate worth US$20 Billion) are sure that the budget has been shaped to pave the way to get larger and longer bailout package from IMF.

Newspakistan.tv