ISLAMABAD – It’s official: the federal budget for 2025-26 is now law. President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Finance Bill 2026, sealing the Rs17.6 trillion spending plan that was passed last week by the National Assembly after some last-minute tweaks.
The bill, which outlines the government’s financial roadmap for the year ahead, had already cleared both houses of Parliament before landing on the president’s desk. With his signature, the budget is now in effect, following its publication in the official Gazette.
The finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, had earlier unveiled the hefty budget on June 10. In a speech that struggled to cut through opposition protests, Aurangzeb emphasized economic growth and stability as top priorities. He also highlighted a promising uptick in remittances, which have already hit $31.2 billion — and could climb to $38 billion by year-end.
During the budget debate, the opposition called for broader public consultation before giving the bill a green light. That proposal, however, didn’t gain much traction and was ultimately voted down. The final version of the budget includes a range of tax changes, new revenue initiatives, and a clear direction for government spending in the coming year.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over the National Assembly session, which saw the Finance Bill taken up section by section. Despite political drama, the government managed to push it through, marking a major step in its economic policy rollout.
