ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The total expense of education in Pakistan is likely to increase after the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.
It is already difficult for the poor and middle class in the country to obtain education, but after the budget, it is likely to become more expensive, which will make it even more difficult to obtain education.
According to information received by the sources, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded the abolition of the 10 percent sales tax concession on stationery, due to which the sales tax on stationery items is likely to be increased to 18 percent from July 1, after the budget.
Sources said that on the demand of the IMF, the federal government is considering increasing the sales tax on stationery from 10 to 18 percent in the Finance Bill 2026.
If the sales tax on stationery items is increased to 18 percent, then the prices of copies, registers, pens, pencils, and other educational and office supplies are likely to increase from July 1.
On the other hand, the International Monetary Fund has also approved an increase in sales tax from 10 percent to 18 percent, and the new tax rate is likely to be implemented from July 1, 2026.
Budget 2026-27
Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, has said that the presentation of the federal budget for the next fiscal year (FY2026-27) has been pushed to June 10.
His clarification comes after the country’s media outlets reported on Tuesday that the budget would not be presented on June 5 (Friday), for which sessions of both houses of Parliament were summoned.
Giving the reason for postponing the budget presentation during a TV programme, Chaudhry said, “The initial proposal for the budget was June 5, [but] now, the budget will be released on June 10, God willing.”
He confirmed that the new date for the budget announcement was June 10 (Wednesday).
Elaborating further on reasons for the delay, Chaudhry stressed that one of the two main steps in the budget process was “convincing the allies” in the ruling coalition.
However, he played down the impression of any differences between the PML-N and the PPP, terming the latter’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a “very good ally of ours”.
“No additional legislation before budget.”
The minister also refuted media reports of the government planning to pass some additional legislation that would impact the upcoming federal budget.
“There is not even one percent truth in this. This is a rumour. No legislation is taking place before the budget,” Fazal declared, reiterating that the budget presentation was delayed for consultations between the allies.
The upcoming budget is believed to be formulated under the tight oversight of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which last month discussed the “budget strategy” with authorities during its visit to Pakistan.
