Pakistan Unveils Ambitious Budget Amid IMF Deal Prospects

Pakistan has released its budget for the fiscal year ending in June 2025, aiming for a 3.6% economic growth rate. Key highlights include a planned fiscal deficit of 6.9% of GDP, total expenditure of 18.9 trillion rupees, and targeted tax revenues of 13 trillion rupees. The country seeks a new bailout deal with the IMF.

Pakistan unveiled its budget for the fiscal year to June 2025 on Wednesday, setting a target of attaining 3.6% economic growth as it looks to secure a new bailout deal from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Here are some of the highlights from the 2024/25 budget:

GDP/DEFICIT * Targets 3.6% economic growth for 2024/25

* Fiscal deficit seen at 6.9% of GDP for 2024/25 EXPENDITURE

* Total spending estimated to be 18.9 trillion rupees in 2024/25 * Expects debt servicing of 9.8 trillion rupees in 2024/25

* Defence expenditure of 2.1 trillion rupees expected in 2024/25 * Pension payments seen at 1 trillion rupees in 2024/25

REVENUE * Targets total tax revenue of 13 trillion rupees for 2024/25

* Targets total non-tax revenue of 3.5 trillion rupees in 2024/25 (Compiled by Sakshi Dayal)