IMF disagrees with 1% NEV sales tax
Inter-ministerial disagreements over duty structure threaten auto policy finalisation
Shahbaz Rana
June 20, 2026
The government has agreed to the need for a mini-budget if revenues fall short of expectations by end-December 2025, according to the IMF.
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not accepted a proposal to charge a 1% sales tax on new energy vehicles, including electric vehicles, amid heightened uncertainty about the fate of the new auto policy due to inter-ministerial disagreements over the duty structure.
The government on Thursday proposed to the IMF that the sales tax on hybrid vehicles be set at 50% of the 18% standard rate, and a 1% sales tax be charged on new energy vehicles, according to sources.
The lack of agreement among ministries involved in formulating the Auto Policy 2026-31 and the IMF's refusal to allow reduced sales tax rates have made it challenging to finalise the policy before June 24. Any change in sales tax and import duties must be incorporated in the budget, which the National Assembly is expected to pass on Wednesday.
The existing auto policy expires this month, and no final draft is ready for incorporation in the tax laws, saidsources.