Pakistan’s 2025 federal budget reflects a difficult balancing act between meeting IMF conditions and addressing rising public discontent. While the government has emphasized fiscal discipline and revenue generation through increased taxation, particularly on salaried individuals and essential goods, critics argue that the budget lacks a clear vision for long-term economic stability. It fails to provide meaningful relief to the middle and lower-income segments, and development spending appears constrained under debt servicing pressures. With inflation still high and unemployment unresolved, the budget has drawn criticism for being reactive rather than reformist—prioritizing numbers over nationwide impact.