The government on Monday declined to publicly disclose the exact revenue impact of tax relief measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2026-27, stating that discussions were still ongoing with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reportedly shared the figures privately during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, as lawmakers reviewed the budget proposals.

According to internal estimates discussed in the meeting, the total revenue impact of relief measures—including tax cuts for salaried individuals, phased reduction of super tax, and incentives for exporters and real estate transactions—is close to Rs 360 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

Lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Sharmila Faruqui and Hina Rabbani Khar, urged the government to make the figures public. However, officials said disclosure was restricted due to ongoing negotiations with the IMF.

The FBR stated that the Finance Bill includes 11 relief measures, 10 rationalisation steps, and five administrative reforms, while noting that the exact fiscal impact is still being assessed.

In separate remarks, senators and committee members also debated taxation on exporters, retailers, and digital income, including approval of a 5pc withholding tax on social media earnings.

Officials further revealed that thousands of high-value account holders had been identified as non-filers, highlighting gaps in tax compliance. The committee also reviewed refund processing, tax base expansion, and sectoral reforms aimed at improving revenue collection.

The budget discussions will continue in upcoming parliamentary sessions as policymakers weigh growth targets against fiscal constraints.