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Former federal finance minister Dr. Miftah Ismail has called expensive electricity Pakistan's single biggest obstacle to export growth, speaking at a Karachi seminar on Monday. He also flagged that motorcyclists bear close to Rs. 100 per litre in petroleum taxes and questioned the effectiveness of fiscal devolution under the National Finance Commission framework.
Pakistan's Senate on Thursday adopted 123 budget recommendations for FY2026-27, including calls for lower electricity tariffs, removal of fixed charges and GST from bills, and a transparent roadmap to reduce capacity payments and circular debt. The proposals are non-binding on the National Assembly, which will review them before casting the final budget vote.
Pakistan's Central Organization of Traders demanded electricity tariff cuts, abolition of the super tax, and a simplified one-page Urdu tax return form ahead of the upcoming federal budget. The demands were presented at a joint press conference in Islamabad by trader leaders from all four provinces, with high energy costs cited as a primary driver of business distress.
Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee has directed NEPRA to investigate Independent Power Producers over capacity payments, over-invoicing, and unjustified contractual extensions. The probe requires NEPRA to submit a detailed comparative report as parliamentarians grow increasingly concerned over the role of IPP costs in driving up electricity tariffs.
India has raised retail fuel prices for the first time in four years as global crude oil surges above $120 per barrel following Strait of Hormuz disruptions tied to the Iran conflict. Pakistan faces direct exposure through NEPRA fuel cost adjustments on electricity bills and rising LNG import costs.