ISLAMABAD – As the Finance Bill 2025–26 nears final approval, the government has rolled out significant tax exemptions for more than 50 key institutions — a move officials say is designed to boost development, support welfare efforts, and strengthen Pakistan’s economic backbone.
The list of beneficiaries reads like a who’s who of Pakistan’s institutional heavyweights. It includes the State Bank of Pakistan, Fauji Foundation, Army Welfare Trust, WAPDA, SECP, and even the Privatisation Commission. These organizations touch everything from defense and finance to infrastructure and regulation — and the tax relief is expected to ease their financial load so they can better deliver on their mandates.
International development bodies like the IMF, ADB, and AIIB are also getting exemptions, which the government views as a way to keep Pakistan well-aligned with its global financial partners.
But the exemptions aren’t limited to high-level institutions. A wide range of social welfare initiatives are also covered — including COVID-19 response programs, disaster relief funds, and scholarship schemes like the National Endowment Scholarship for Talent (NEST).
According to government sources, the goal is simple: remove financial roadblocks for institutions that work for the public good. Officials hope this will lead to smoother operations, better service delivery, and stronger collaboration between public bodies and private stakeholders.
By easing the tax burden on both local and international entities that play critical roles in development, the Finance Bill 2025–26 aims to lay the foundation for a more inclusive and stable economy.
