Pakistan, May 12 -- ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed officials to include substantial relief measures for the manufacturing and construction sectors in the upcoming federal budget, sources confirmed Monday.

According to official sources, the prime minister issued these directions after reviewing proposals submitted by industry stakeholders. He emphasized the need to reduce the cost of doing business, especially for productive sectors of the economy.

As part of the proposed relief package, the government is likely to eliminate withholding tax on raw material imports for industries. Officials believe this step will significantly reduce tax refund claims and simplify the tax process for manufacturers.

In addition, ...