Israel’s Recent Attack on Iran is Condemnable: SAARC Chairperson
Islamabad
Chairperson of SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneurs Council, Chairperson of National Business Women Council, and Founding President of Attock Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Hina Mansab Khan has outrightly rejected the federal budget for 2025-26, calling it completely disconnected from the needs of the Pakistani public and the business community. She stated that the budget serves only the interests of the powerful elite and international financial institutions.
Condemning Israel’s recent aggression against Iran, Hina Mansab Khan said that the escalating Israeli hostilities will only fuel further anarchy in the region. She urged global powers to intervene and restrain Israel. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for Iran.
Commenting on the budget, she expressed deep concern that no relief measures or reform agenda have been introduced for the business sector. Instead, additional burdens have been placed on small and medium enterprises, which form the backbone of the country’s economy. Moreover, women entrepreneurs have been completely neglected in this budget.
Hina Mansab Khan highlighted that 46.7% of the budget is allocated solely for debt servicing, which poses a significant obstacle to national development. She criticized the imposition of an 18% sales tax on solar imports, calling it a hindrance to environmental sustainability and affordable energy.
“No relief, subsidy, or facility has been provided to women entrepreneurs,” she emphasized. “Inflation, unemployment, and key sectors like education and healthcare continue to be ignored. This budget caters solely to the elite; the ordinary Pakistani, small traders, women entrepreneurs, and salaried class have been entirely excluded.”
She warned that if the government does not revise the budget promptly, it could lead to severe economic instability. She strongly urged the government to review the budget, bring transparency to the tax system, reduce energy prices, and introduce special incentives for women entrepreneurs.
Hina Mansab Khan further announced that she is initiating consultations with women’s business chambers across the country to unite them on this stance, so that the voice of women entrepreneurs can be effectively conveyed to the government.
