Finance Ministry says tax collection for July-Dec was over Rs2,455 billion

• Ministry says Centre collected Rs2,210 billion in taxes, while the share of provinces was Rs245 billion
• From July-Dec, the country borrowed a total of Rs1,138 worth of foreign and local loans
• Direct taxes of Rs 830 billion were collected during July-Dec

ISLAMABAD: Finance Ministry on Wednesday released the data of consolidated fiscal operations according to which the country's total tax collection stood at Rs2,455.90 billion from July to December.

Breaking down the tax collection, the report said the Centre had collected a total of Rs2,210 billion, while the provinces' share was Rs245 billion.

From July-Dec, the country borrowed a total of Rs1,138 worth of foreign and local loans. During the period, Rs454.45 were taken as foreign loans, while Rs683.39 were domestic loans.

Direct taxes of Rs830 billion were collected, the ministry said, adding that Rs337 billion customs duty was collected during the period.

Moreover, Rs918 billion in sales tax, while Rs123 billion were collected in excise duty. A petroleum levy of Rs47.54 billion was accumulated in the six month period.

From July to December, the State Bank of Pakistan's profit stood at Rs372 billion, the report revealed, adding that the budget deficit has reached Rs1,138 billion.

In the first half of the financial year, the budget deficit was 2.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP).