Finance Minister says 750,000 farmers will benefit as government boosts agriculture support and highlights economic recovery measures.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has announced a Rs300 billion interest-free loan scheme for the agriculture sector, aimed at supporting around 750,000 small farmers across Pakistan.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to promote economic growth and strengthen the agricultural economy.
Wrapping up the debate on the Federal Budget and Finance Bill 2026-27 in the National Assembly, Aurangzeb stressed that national consensus remains essential for sustaining economic and financial stability.
He said all economic indicators and statistics have been prepared according to internationally accepted standards and prevailing practices.
The finance minister clarified that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has not altered the methodology used by the National Accounts Committee.
He stated that economic data have been compiled under the United Nations System of National Accounts using 2015-16 as the base year.
According to him, Pakistan’s economy is projected to reach nearly $452 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, with GDP growth estimated at 3.7 percent at constant prices.
Aurangzeb said the government had introduced a balanced and development-oriented budget focused on the salaried class, agriculture, industry and exports.
He noted that large-scale manufacturing recorded growth of around 6.5 percent, while information technology exports surged nearly 20 percent and are expected to exceed $4.5 billion.
Highlighting overseas inflows, the finance minister revealed that Pakistan received a record $4.25 billion in remittances last month.
Total remittances are projected to surpass $41 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. He added that approximately $14 billion in additional tax revenues had been generated over the last two years.
Besides the Rs300 billion interest-free loan scheme, Aurangzeb said over Rs109 billion in agricultural financing has already been extended. The government has also allocated Rs10 billion in urea subsidies and Rs4.2 billion for agriculture and livestock development projects.
He further stated that salaries, pensions and minimum wages have been increased, while taxes on certain products and medicines related to women’s health have been reduced or abolished.
Aurangzeb thanked political parties, parliamentary committees, business leaders and economic experts for contributing to the formulation of the budget, emphasizing that cooperation among all stakeholders is vital for sustaining economic progress.
