THE country’s economy continues to demonstrate mixed positive and negative trends with a hazy long-term outlook as multiple problems are yet to be effectively addressed by basic structural reforms.

On the positive side, a record number of 3,442 companies across diverse sectors were registered in a single month by the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan in January, reflecting a 39 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s monthly average. And also noteworthy is the fact that the information technology and e-commerce sectors led the growth by registering 652 companies.

A noticeable progress was made in reforming the outdated mode of collecting agricultural income tax with negligible revenue yield. The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed the agricultural income tax bill 2025 on Feb 3. All four provinces have approved the income tax law as required by the International Monetary Fund.

Sindh’s new law proposes that annual agricultural income up to Rs0.6 million will be exempt from tax, while the maximum tax rate for income exceeding annual Rs5.6m will be 45pc.

Noticeable progress is being made with regard to agriculture tax and improved exports, though many problems still call for basic structural reforms

A progressive super tax has also been introduced, with no super tax on annual agricultural income up to Rs150m and a maximum of 10pc super tax........

© Dawn Business