Here are the expected features of budget 2018-19

ISLAMABAD: All eyes are fixed on the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2018-19 as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) beset by political tribulations with its leadership on trial for corruption charges is all set to fashion a precedent by presenting its sixth consecutive budget during the five-year tenure.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail will unveil the budget with an estimated outlay of Rs5.5 trillion in the National Assembly scheduled to meet at 4:30 pm today. The budget session is likely to witness ruckus as the opposition parties have announced to protest against the government for presenting a full-year budget in the closing weeks of its tenure.

Here are the expected features of the budget 2018-19

• The outlay of the budget will be Rs5.5 trillion

• The tax revenue target will be set at Rs4.435 trillion

• Real GDP target is likely to be set at 6 per cent for next year

• The fiscal deficit is expected to be Rs2,029 billion

• Inflation rate will be contained below 6 percent

• The exports target for next year is likely to be set at Rs27.30 billion.

• The defence budget is expected to be Rs1.050 trillion

• Salaries and pensions of employees are likely to be increased by 10 per cent.

• A hefty amount of Rs220 billion will be earmarked for subsidies on power, textile, water, construction of small dams.

• The federal expenditure has been set at Rs1010 billion while the provincial at Rs1030.

• The budget for development projects will be Rs201 billion.