Private sector neglect

The proposed budget for the year 2025-26 reportedly includes a 10 per cent salary increase for government employees. However, the budget does little to alleviate the sufferings of the private sector employees. The private sector is not bound to give any relief to their employees similar to that announced for the government sector. The only way out for this segment of highly skilled and experienced professionals is to renegotiate their salary packages. Sadly, under the current economic circumstances, it is not possible for employers to increase salaries. The government is forcing honest and hardworking professionals, who decide to stay and work in their own country, to find ways to cheat the income tax regime in order to mitigate the impact of the ever-rising cost of living.

Ayub Malik

Rawalpindi