The Senate has adopted the recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue regarding the Finance Bill 2026.

A motion to this effect was moved by Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, Saleem Mandviwalla.

Speaking on the occasion, Saleem Mandviwalla said the Finance Bill 2026 incorporates several positive reforms

and the committee’s recommendations are intended to enhance their fairness, effectiveness and public acceptance.

He said a total of one hundred and twenty-three recommendations have been prepared by the Senate for the National Assembly.  

Saleem Mandviwalla said the committee has recommended increasing salaries by at least 15 percent, broadening the tax base and avoiding the imposition of new taxes on essential commodities.

He said the committee also proposed reducing taxes on fertilizers, seeds and agricultural machinery to support the farming sector.

Speaking in the Senate today, Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan says Pakistan has raised the issue of India’s weaponization of water at international forums.

He said India is constructing five dams on Chenab River and aims to complete them in the next four to five years. He said once completed, these projects would enable India to halt the flow of water of Chenab for a period ranging from sixty to ninety days.

Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan could adopt a counterstrategy by constructing water reservoirs at three to four sites on River Chenab.

He explained that these reservoirs would allow Pakistan to store water when India releases excess flows and utilize the reserves during periods when the river’s flow is restricted.