Budget 2026-27: Agriculture Ignored and Export Measures Insufficient, Asserts PFVA’s Waheed Ahmed.
Federal Budget 2026-27 PFVA reaction
Karachi: Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporter Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmed, has expressed serious concern over the Federal Budget 2026–27, stating that the agriculture sector—despite facing significant challenges—has largely been overlooked.
He noted that while the government has reduced minimum tax and advance tax on exports to improve competitiveness, the decision to not fully abolish these taxes remains disappointing for exporters.
Waheed Ahmed appreciated the allocation of Rs 88 billion under the Export Refinance Scheme, terming it a positive step that will enable exporters to access financing at lower costs. He also welcomed the allocation of Rs 1 billion for development funding, highlighting that it reflects an increase compared to the previous year.
Commenting on taxation measures, he welcomed the abolition of super tax on income between Rs 150 million and Rs 500 million. However, he emphasized that for income above Rs 500 million, the tax has only been reduced rather than completely eliminated, which falls short of industry expectations. He further expressed concern that exports have not been included in the fixed tax regime.
Highlighting the ongoing energy crisis, he pointed out that the budget fails to provide any incentives for the promotion of alternative energy, which is critical for reducing production costs and improving competitiveness.
He urged the government to take immediate and practical steps to address the challenges faced by the agriculture and export sectors, particularly horticulture, in order to fully realize Pakistan’s export potential.
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