Geo News special transmission on post-budget economic outlook gets underway

A special transmission by Geo News on the country's economic outlook following the Federal Budget 2026-27 got underway, offering a comprehensive analysis of the government's key proposals and their likely impact on the economy and the lives of ordinary citizens.

Senior anchor Shahzeb Khanzada is hosting the special transmission, joined by some of the country's leading business leaders, economists, and financial experts.

Speaking during the show, business leader Arif Habib expressed doubts that the government's latest measures will be sufficient to trigger investment and create employment opportunities, citing high energy costs and tax rates.

"I do not think the government's measures will lead to investment," he said, adding that the country also needed lower tax rates to improve competitiveness.

According to Habib, the business community had consistently called for the abolition of the super tax and stressed that reducing energy costs was essential for boosting investment and exports.

He acknowledged that the government had consulted stakeholders before presenting the budget for the next fiscal year.

The business leader noted that the government had provided relief to salaried individuals and exporters while keeping the International Monetary Fund on board.

However, he questioned how quickly economic conditions could improve despite those efforts.

For his part, Gul Ahmed Textile Mills director Ziad Bashir said that the government had done what it could under the circumstances and had helped stabilise the economy.

However, Bashir criticised the lack of focus on value addition and highlighted structural challenges facing industry.

He said railway freight accounted for less than 5% of cargo movement, arguing that excessive emphasis had been placed on road infrastructure while rail transport had been neglected.

He also pointed to shortcomings in shipping infrastructure, saying the country lacked direct port access for shipping needs.

"If we do not fix the fundamentals, how will we compete with the world?" Bashir asked.

This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.