Finance Minister Engages SPDC on Structural Reforms, Fiscal Federalism Evidence-Based Policy Support

Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, today met a delegation of the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) led by Chairman Mr. Javed Jabbar to discuss Pakistan’s key structural, fiscal, and socio-economic challenges and avenues for evidence-based policy support.

The Finance Minister appreciated SPDC’s long-standing, non-partisan research contributions and briefed the delegation on the government’s institutional reform and rightsizing agenda, aimed at improving efficiency, reducing fiscal leakages, and strengthening service delivery. He also shared updates on progress under the National Finance Commission (NFC), noting the formation of eight consensus-based working groups and inviting SPDC’s analytical input.

Discussions also covered governance reforms, climate change, and population dynamics, with emphasis on transparency, policy urgency, and data-driven solutions. SPDC outlined potential support in fiscal analysis, tax policy, and resource mobilization, including health-related taxes.

Both sides agreed on the importance of continued engagement beyond the budget cycle to support sustainable economic reform and national development.