Published June 18, 2026 Updated about an hour ago By Recorder Report KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), Sheikh Umer Rehan, has expressed serious concerns over the new sales tax mechanism introduced in the federal budget for ghee and cooking oil, warning that prices could rise by up to Rs10–15 per kilogram. He stated that the ghee and cooking oil industry is already operating under a heavy tax burden, but instead of providing relief, the government has further increased financial pressure on the sector through additional taxation measures. According to him, the budget has expanded the scope of the Third Schedule by shifting sales tax collection on ghee and cooking oil to a mechanism based on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). He said this change will significantly increase the tax burden on the industry. Sheikh Umer Rehan warned that as a result, the prices of ghee and cooking oil are likely to increase by Rs10 to Rs15 per kilogram, which would directly impact consumers across the country. He added…