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How Pakistan’s new tax rules hurt small online sellers

From 18% GST to income tax registration for micro-sellers, the 2025–26 budget is being called a death sentence for home-based entrepreneurs

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Amber Shamsi

Pakistan Editor

Amber Rahim Shamsi is an award-winning multimedia journalist, political commentator, and free speech advocate with extensive experience in media development. She previously served as Director of the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA, where she spearheaded the launch of iVerify Pakistan, a UNDP-supported fact-checking platform. A former BBC World Service bilingual reporter, she has hosted three major current affairs shows on Pakistani news channels. She is also an IVLP and ICFJ Digital Fellow, a media trainer, and an advocate for press freedom and gender representation in journalism.

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This isn’t your usual unboxing video. In this episode of The Story Behind, Nukta Pakistan Editor Amber Shamsi opens the box on Pakistan’s new e-commerce tax regime.

And it’s not good news for small online businesses. From 18% GST to income tax registration for micro-sellers, the 2025–26 budget is being called a death sentence for home-based entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital platforms.

We break down how these policies are affecting sellers on Instagram, Fiverr, and Daraz, and why ride-hailing platforms like inDrive are under pressure too.

Saqib Azhar of Enablers explains how these taxes could crush a growing industry. We also compare Pakistan’s approach with India and Malaysia, and ask: Why is our digital economy being taxed like a corporate giant without support for the little guy?

  • Featuring your comments
  • Real examples
  • Big consequences
Unboxing the digital tax. What’s inside will shock you.

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