Poultry prices remain sky-high in Hazara
Even after three days of Eidul Fitr, poultry prices in various districts of the Hazara region have not decreased, maintaining an all-time high surge witnessed during the last two days of Ramazan.
Despite the issuance of official price lists by the district administrations of Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Battagram, poultry and meat are still being sold at inflated rates in several areas, raising concerns among consumers.
According to the latest price list, chicken is being sold at Rs540 per kg, while breeder chicken is priced at Rs400 per kg. In Mansehra, the price of farm chicken has been fixed at Rs545 per kg, whereas in Battagram, it has reached Rs555 per kg, making it the highest in the region. However, reports indicate that in several parts of Mansehra and other districts, poultry meat is being sold at significantly higher rates than the official prices.
Consumers have expressed frustration over the lack of enforcement by the district administrations and have urged authorities to take strict action against profiteers. Poultry traders, on the other hand, attribute the price hike to increased demand during the Eid holidays, supply chain disruptions, and rising feed costs.
Local residents have called upon the relevant authorities to conduct strict price monitoring and ensure that the official price lists are implemented effectively to provide relief to consumers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt hints at Rs500b mini-budget
Listen to article Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday cautioned that the government may be compelled to impose up to Rs500 billion worth more new taxes if the National Assembly did not allow it to ban economic transactions by ineligible persons. The minister also made a paradoxical comment where he defended the decision to keep the minimum monthly wage unchanged at Rs37,000 but advocated an annual increase in salaries of the parliamentarians to adjust for the impact of inflation. The warning about a mini-budget before the approval of the new budget came just a day after the finance minister proposed roughly Rs432 billion worth of new taxes, which targeted the digital economy, solar panels, middlemen's cars and fuel, including that used in agriculture. He made the remarks during a post-budget press conference where he expanded upon the federal budget proposed for the new fiscal year. If the law to ban economic transactions is not passed and the enforcement measures are not implemented, we will have to impose Rs400 billion to Rs500 billion worth of new taxes, repeated by the finance minister twice to register his point. "We have two ways — either we ensure enforcement or we introduce additional measures of up to Rs400 billion to Rs500 billion. This is why we will go to the parliament to help us out with the enabling amendments and legislation", he added. He said that the International Monetary Fund has accepted the government's point of view that it can get Rs389 billion additional in the next fiscal year through enforcement measures, which is not possible without new legislation. Transactions to be banned In the budget, the government has proposed restrictions on economic transactions by ineligible persons lacking sufficient financial resources. These restrictions include: a ban on booking, purchasing, or registering motor vehicles; a ban on registering, recording, or attesting the transfer of immovable property; a ban on selling securities — including debt securities or mutual fund units — to ineligible persons; and a ban on opening or maintaining current, savings, or investor portfolio securities accounts. Only individuals holding 130% of the value in cash and equivalent assets — comprising local or foreign currency, fair market value of gold, net realisable value of stocks, bonds, receivables, or any other cash-equivalent asset — will be eligible to buy such assets. Rs37,000 minimum wage appropriate In a surprising statement, the finance minister defended the decision to freeze the minimum wage at Rs37,000 per month — or Rs1,423 per day, excluding holidays. "Go to the industries and get their feedback on the minimum wage. I think we are in a good place," said Aurangzeb. However, he also defended the substantial hike in salaries of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman, and the National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, raised sixfold to Rs1.3 million per month. He said their salaries were being adjusted after nine years. Like the annual increment in government employee salaries, parliamentarians' pay should also increase, he recommended. Media protests for its rights At the outset of the press conference, reporters voiced concerns over not receiving a technical briefing from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on the Finance Bill 2025 on Tuesday. They walked out in protest and returned only after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial acknowledged that such a briefing should have been given as per tradition. Finance Minister Aurangzeb later acknowledged the "worry" caused to reporters and said he "regretted if there was anything of the sort". Cash on delivery disparity The government's move to charge 2% tax on online shopping up to Rs20,000 — while charging only 0.25% for purchases exceeding that amount — is likely to further encourage cash-on-delivery for high-value transactions. Dr Najeeb, FBR Member Policy, explained that while the value of goods in such transactions is high, the profit margins are low, hence the proposed lower tax rate of 0.25%. Under the proposed rates, tax on a Rs20,000 transaction will amount to Rs400, but for Rs21,000 it will drop to Rs52. Dr Najeeb noted that grocery items have lower margins but are taxed at higher rates than electrical goods. "We did not follow previous policies where everyone suffered under the same category," he added. Pakistan's East Asia moment Finance Minister Aurangzeb asserted that reducing import duties would move Pakistan toward an export-led economy. He emphasised the significance of tariff reforms under the National Tariff Policy. "People ask us if revenue will decline. But if we are to take this country forward toward an export-led model, this is the discussion we must have," he said. The minister noted that additional customs duties were eliminated from four tariff lines and reduced for 2,700 more, all linked to raw materials intended to benefit exporters. "This is an East Asia moment for Pakistan. Whatever was available in the fiscal space reflects the direction of travel. We've tried to reduce tariffs. This is not the eventual end state," he remarked. On the increased tax rate for the sale of plots, Aurangzeb said the selling side still receives capital gains, but the buying side should receive some relief. Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal stated that there was no more fiscal space to reduce expenditure, and savings from downsizing the government were limited to the abolishment of vacant positions. Responding to a question about delinking population statistics from the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Aurangzeb insisted, "Everything will be done in consultation with provinces." Earlier this week, the finance minister had said that the population should be delinked from the NFC formula to address 2.6% annual population growth. "Nothing will be done without the provinces, including the national fiscal pact," he added. To a question about the impact of reducing the income tax surcharge by 1%, which still leaves it at 9%, on brain drain, Aurangzeb said the government had set a rare direction, one indicating that "anything going up is, within a year, going down". "The things that had never been reversed before have now been put into reversal - but that's not the eventual end state," he said. He clarified that the government is trying to send a message to sectors facing undue burden, particularly the formal sector, that it is "serious". "This is just signalling, from my perspective, in the right direction," he said. When asked about the rationale for imposing an 18% sales tax on imported solar panels, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial explained that panels were being imported either fully or partially assembled. Those adding value locally were already taxed at 18%, while fully assembled imports were not, putting local assemblers at a disadvantage. "We also closed the door for future local assembly, so this was not an option. We have to create a level playing field," Langrial said, asserting that incentives were no longer needed, given the falling cost of technology. He estimated that the 18% tax on solar panel imports would increase the payback period by only two months, from 18 to 20 months. Eurobond repayments On bond repayments, the finance minister said the first instalment of $500 million worth of Eurobonds is due in September, followed by the next in March. "We are prepared and willing to pay," he said. "With the international credit rating improving, we want to access the euro and US dollar markets, which is expected in 2026, but certainly not this calendar year," Aurangzeb added.
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Maximum relief for low & middle-income earners: Aurangzeb
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stated that maximum possible relief has been provided to low- and middle-income earners in the 2025-26 budget. He said the government may be forced to impose additional taxes worth Rs400–500 billion if it fails to meet revenue targets through enforcement of existing budgetary measures taken in the Budget 2025-26. In an exclusive interview on Aaj TV's Spot Light with Munizae Jahangir, Aurangzeb emphasized that the FY26 budget is focused on enforcing already announced measures rather than introducing new ones. 'It (budget FY26) is less about additional measures. It is more about the enablement around enforcement,' the finance minister said. He projected that the government plans to generate Rs389 billion in additional revenue in FY26 through improved enforcement. Budget 2025-26: Pakistan govt offers tax relief to salaried class, but representatives unhappy 'If some of those things (collection through enforcement) don't move forward then I think we all have to agree that we have to impose additional taxes of Rs400–500 billion. There is a very clear trade-off,' he said. Aurangzeb, who has repeatedly highlighted the economic burden of pensions, particularly the over Rs1 trillion paid annually from the national exchequer, revealed ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Defence to reform military pensions. 'The service structure in the military stands entirely different from the one in the civil bureaucracy. They retire in 30–35 years. So the discussion (for military pension reforms) with them is in progress in terms of how we take it forward,' he said. 'We have increased pensions across the board including civil bureaucracy. At the same time, we have initiated pension reforms, starting from the civil bureaucracy starting from July 1 last year.' The finance minister also disclosed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon announce additional financial resources to address Pakistan's water scarcity. This will be over and above the Rs133 billion already allocated in the FY26 budget for water availability. 'Water has been weaponized by India,' he claimed. He added that allocations made for the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams are aimed at enhancing Pakistan's water storage capacity. 'We are 15–30% short on the threshold of the required water storage capacity,' he said. 'In the next coming day, you will hear a specific announcement (on new allocation for water availability) coming directly from the Prime Minister.' Aurangzeb also responded to criticism that governments have failed to tax the agriculture sector, clarifying that provinces have already enacted legislation in this regard. 'The (agriculture tax) collection is to be started from July 1,' he said. He acknowledged that the federal government should have maintained a buffer stock of wheat for food security, but remained committed to withdrawing state intervention from the agriculture market. 'We expect revival in major crops (like cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane, rice) and see rebound in agriculture next year,' he said, while defending the government's move to stop procuring strategic reserves and announcing support prices. 'The government has no intervention in rice and maize. It has to come out from sugar and wheat as well. We have to look forward. We have to invest in storage capacity building and electronic warehouses. The Punjab government is taking the lead. The entire value chain should be deregulated and we are on the way.' Despite a 13.5% decline in major crops, Aurangzeb said that the livestock and poultry sectors have performed well in FY25. Commenting on Pakistan's relationship with international creditors, Aurangzeb confirmed that the FY26 budget aligns with discussions held with global financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), under the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility. He also revealed that the government agreed with the IMF not to impose previously considered taxes on pesticide and fertilizer in FY26. Addressing concerns in the real estate and construction sectors, Aurangzeb explained recent tax changes: 'We have lowered taxes for buyers through removing FED (Federal Excise Duty), but simultaneously increased tax for sellers in the same way as capital gains tax.' He clarified that removing the 7% FED on property transactions—originally levied on food, not construction—reduces the transaction cost for buyers, while increased capital gains tax on sellers ensures no revenue loss for the government. The finance minister also hinted at further relief in electricity prices. 'The government has already reduced energy prices by Rs7 per unit and more price cuts in the energy sector are expected ahead,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Post-budget press briefing: Govt warns of Rs500bn more revenue steps
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday warned that additional revenue measures of up to Rs 500 billion would be taken next fiscal year, if enabling amendments and legislation on enforcement were not passed by parliament, adding that all the budget figures were locked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This he stated while addressing the post-budget press briefing which began with journalists from the independent media staging a walkout in protest against the Federal Board of Revenue's failure to provide the traditional technical briefing on the Finance Bill 2025-26 after the budget speech. Finance Minister flanked by FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial and Secretary Finance continued the post-budget press briefing despite the boycott. Budget 2025-26: Pakistan targets 4.2% growth as Aurangzeb presents proposals 'for a competitive economy' Information Minister Ataullah Tarar was summoned to clear the air with the protesting journalists who tendered an apology with the assurance that the technical briefing would be held prompting independent journalists to end their boycott and rejoin the press conference after more than half an hour. The minister said, strengthened enforcement mechanisms have helped the federal government generate over Rs400 billion in additional revenues this fiscal year. He noted that while international stakeholders had previously doubted Pakistan's ability to implement tax laws effectively, the government had demonstrated that meaningful enforcement is possible. He said, tax-to-GDP ratio was projected to reach 10.4 percent this year and to 10.9 percent in fiscal year 2025-26. Of the Rs2.2 trillion targeted in overall revenue, only Rs312 billion is expected from new taxes, with the remainder stemming automatically from growth and enforcement. 'We have two ways — either we ensure enforcement or we introduce additional measures of up to Rs 400 to 500 billion. This is why we will go to the parliament to help us out with the enabling amendments and legislation,' said the minister, adding that they needed enabling amendments and legislation to plug leakages in the system. The minister further said that laws, legislation and taxes were there but there is lack of enforcement. 'The things that had never been reversed before have now been put into reversal, but that's not the eventual end state,' said the minister adding that the segments that have been subjected to undue burden, whether it's the formal sector, the beneficiary sector, the salaried class, the government should at least acknowledge that it is cognizant of their problems and that it will deal with those as soon as fiscal space is created. Talking about a 10 percent surcharge on electricity bills, FBR Chairman clarified that no additional surcharge has been imposed so far. Replying to a question regarding the federal government's plan to potentially delink population from the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Finance Minister stated, 'everything will be done in consultation with the provinces including the national fiscal pact which was signed with the provinces. The provinces are projected to receive a record Rs8.2 trillion from the federal divisible tax pool in the upcoming fiscal year.' The minister termed tariff rationalization as a 'major and important step' in aligning Pakistan's trade and industrial policy with global standards. The initiative, he said, marks the beginning of a phased plan towards a simplified tariff regime, ultimately targeting an average tariff rate of just over 4 per cent. 'Overall, there are 7,000 tariff lines. Additional customs duty has been removed on 4,000 lines, and in 2,700 of those, the customs duty has also been reduced,' the finance minister stated. 'Of these, around 2,000 tariff lines are directly linked to raw materials and intermediary goods used by exporters. This is a structural reform that has not been undertaken in the past 30 years. This is a huge step, and we are committed to taking it forward gradually', Aurangzeb added. The government's broader goal, according to Aurangzeb, is to reshape Pakistan's tariff architecture in a way that supports industrial growth and integrates the economy more deeply into global supply chains. Highlighting the significance of the policy shift, Aurangzeb said the reduction and elimination of customs duties on thousands of tariff lines will enable more efficient allocation of both capital and human resources within the economy. The reforms are designed to gradually replace import substitution with export promotion, a pivot the government considers essential for addressing Pakistan's recurring balance of payments crises and dollar liquidity pressures. He said that the government has offered as much relief as possible to the salaried class within the constraints of available fiscal space. 'This is the direction of travel, where do we want to take the salaried class. Different slabs, including at the highest levels, have been carefully considered. From both my perspective and the Prime Minister's, we provided as much relief as the fiscal space allows,' Aurangzeb said. He said the minimum wage would remain at its current level, Rs37,000, adding that it should be viewed in the context of inflation. 'Go to the industries and get their feedback on minimum wage. I think we are in a good place,' he asserted. Responding to criticism over salary hikes, the finance minister said, 'If we talk about raising salaries of government employees, then ministers' salaries should also be reviewed.' He pointed out that the salaries of the Senate chairman, deputy chairman, National Assembly speaker, and deputy speaker were recently increased. When questioned about whether their salaries had been raised from Rs250,000 to Rs2.15 million per month, the minister remarked that the focus should be on when ministers, ministers of state, and parliamentarians last received a salary adjustment. 'The cabinet ministers' salaries were last increased in 2016. If a salary raise had been made annually, the recent hike would not seem so high,' he explained. He also pointed to the phased reduction of the super tax on mid-sized corporations as part of the government's commitment to improving the business climate. 'Even if it's just a 0.5 percent reduction, it sends an important signal to the market,' Aurangzeb contended. The government, he said, announced a series of targeted reforms in the construction and agriculture sectors aimed at reducing transaction costs, supporting affordable housing, and ensuring credit access for small farmers. While overall tax liability has not been reduced, the government restructured the system to lower transaction costs, particularly for buyers, he claimed. To a question, the minister said, the increases in salaries and pensions were directly linked to the headline inflation, Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring adjustments reflect inflationary pressures. Aurangzeb said that pensions would now be linked to a Contributory Based Index (CBI) to ensure long-term sustainability. 'Worldwide, pensions and salaries are adjusted with inflation. We are adopting the same principle,' he added. Replying to a question regarding the contributory system for armed forces, Secretary Finance said that meetings were held with Defence Ministry in this regard, however, it was agreed that they could not be treated the same way on account of different terms of retirement period. Aurangzeb said no tax has been levied on fertilizers and pesticides which was negotiated with the IMF on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the administration regards these items as critical inputs for agriculture. 'Agriculture has been, and will remain, the backbone of our economy,' he said, adding that greater federal policy coordination is needed on devolved subjects like seed technology, mechanization, and agri-financing. He pointed to a modest 1.9 percent rise in government expenditure, crediting prudent financial management and stated that despite inflation, the government managed to contain subsidies and reduce debt servicing, while selectively increasing spending, where necessary, for national priorities. Aurangzeb stressed on the need to end protectionism, increase productivity and reduce the price of raw materials so that not only textiles but every exporting sector benefits. Responding to a question the finance minister said that the first installment of Eurobonds worth $500 million was due in September, while the next was due in March. 'We are prepared and willing to pay', he added. The minister reiterated his hopes of Pakistan launching yuan-denominated Panda bonds this year, adding that credit enhancement through the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was in progress. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
