PM orders FBR to clear tax refunds by June 15 as business leaders seek budget relief 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to clear all pending tax refund cases by June 15 as business leaders from across the country sought tax relief, faster refunds and reforms ahead of the federal budget for 2026-27.

The federal budget is scheduled to be presented on June 5.

Representatives of chambers of commerce and industry from across Pakistan met the prime minister during a pre-budget consultation and submitted proposals related to industrial production, exports and investment.

PM Shehbaz said the economy had stabilised after sustained efforts and the government would now focus on accelerating growth. He said the upcoming budget would include further measures to support industry and increase production.

The prime minister said economic growth would be pursued through collective effort and reaffirmed the government’s focus on exports.

He said the export refinance scheme rate would remain capped at 4.5% until June 2027 despite recent increases in the policy rate.

PM Shehbaz also directed the relocation of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) headquarters to Karachi.

He ordered the establishment of a passport office in Gujrat following requests from overseas Pakistanis and business groups.

The prime minister said reforms and facilitation for small and medium enterprises remained part of the government’s economic agenda.

He also urged investors to explore joint ventures in local electric vehicle production.

Business leaders welcomed the Prime Minister Apna Ghar Programme, the government’s housing initiative for low- and middle-income groups.

They also appreciated recent reforms in the Export Development Fund, privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), FBR digitisation and introduction of e-invoicing systems.

The business representatives also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for maintaining stability during tensions in the Gulf region.

They assured cooperation in expanding the formal tax base through digitisation.

Some businessmen present at the meeting said the business community wanted faster implementation, policy certainty and delivery on reform measures.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and chambers from Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot.

Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Power Minister Awais Leghari, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmed, FBR Chairman Rasheed Langrial and other senior government officials also attended the meeting.