Miftah Ismail Terms Budget ‘Reasonable’, Asif Peer Welcomes Relief for Freelancers but Seeks Support for Local IT Firms
Islamabad:Former Finance Minister **Miftah Ismail** has described the **2025-26 federal budget** as *”reasonable”*, noting that while limited, **some relief has been provided to salaried individuals**. Speaking during a special transmission on the federal budget, Ismail emphasized the need for **further reduction in government expenditure**, suggesting that fiscal discipline should be a key priority.
He also supported the government’s decision to **make “filer” status mandatory** for the purchase and sale of vehicles, calling it a **positive step toward tax documentation and broadening the tax base**.
### 💻 IT Sector Reacts
In a separate commentary, **Systems Limited CEO Asif Peer** acknowledged positive measures for Pakistan’s IT sector. He appreciated the **tax exemption granted to freelancers working with foreign companies**, stating that it could help maintain the country’s **IT export momentum**.
However, Peer raised concerns over the lack of incentives for **local IT firms**. He pointed out that the **tax relief doesn’t apply to domestic companies** operating within Pakistan’s borders, despite their significant contribution to the sector.
> “This partial support could slow down growth for local companies that are investing, hiring, and scaling within the country,” Peer added, urging the government to extend **equal tax benefits to all contributors in the IT ecosystem**.
### 🔎 Summary:
* **Miftah Ismail**: Budget is fair but government spending needs further cuts.
* **Vehicle filers** requirement praised as a good accountability measure.
* **Asif Peer**: Freelancer tax relief is promising, but **local IT firms are left out**.
The comments reflect **mixed reactions from economic and industry experts**, highlighting both **incremental improvements** and **areas requiring policy refinement** to ensure equitable and sustained growth.
