Asad hints at new mini-budget.

Islamabad -- Finance Minister Asad Umar has hinted that the government may introduce another 'mini-budget' to address the economic challenges facing the country.

In his briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Wednesday, he said the government was mulling over bringing another supplementary budget in January 2019 (next month) but there had been no final decision on it yet.

He said an increase in taxes had been proposed but the government could consider decreasing taxes in order to boost the economy.

The finance minister said the government has decided to supply gas to exporters at $6.5 per MMBTU, and electricity at 7.5 cents per unit. A notification in this regard would be issued soon.

The government has also decided to issue bonds for tax refunds, he added. If a supplementary budget is announced next month, it would be the second such budget introduced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government since it was voted into power in the July 28 general election.

The finance...