In a surprising announcement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed on Monday that there are currently no plans to raise the salaries and pensions of federal government employees for the upcoming fiscal year.
In a written statement to the National Assembly, the finance minister clarified, “There is also no intention to adjust employees’ allowances or pay scales.”
He did, however, mention that the government is evaluating the limits and ceilings for hiring and housing allowances.
Aurangzeb’s comments were made in response to a query from MNA Malik Mohammad Aamir Dogar.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce provided an overview of the trade deficit over the last five years during the National Assembly session. Official documents revealed that Pakistan experienced a trade deficit of $154 billion from 2019 to 2024.
During this timeframe, the nation’s exports totaled $136 billion, while imports reached $291 billion. The increase in imports was primarily attributed to economic growth.
Annual trade deficit statistics indicate that Pakistan’s deficit was $23.16 billion in the fiscal year 2020, rising to $31.08 billion in 2021 and peaking at $48.35 billion in 2022.
The deficit subsequently decreased to $27.47 billion in 2023 and further to $24.11 billion in 2024.
Additionally, the fiscal year 2025 saw a significant 60% increase in imports of solar panels, transformers, and power transmission equipment, with total imports of power transmission equipment amounting to $319 million.
In the same period, imports of industrial machinery rose by 20%, textile machinery by 40%, and auto parts by 58%.
