Overview

• Earlier reports claimed the Council of Islamic Ideology had declared the tax on cash withdrawals and transfers un-Islamic, but the body says only a preliminary discussion occurred with differing views.
• The council scheduled further debate at its next session with external experts to inform any decision.
• Media, citing unnamed sources, reported the Federal Board of Revenue may seek Supreme Court review of the purported ruling, which has not been officially confirmed.
• In other guidance from the same meeting, the council opposed proposed Diyat law changes and insisted Sharia-based valuations using gold, silver and camels remain.
• The council advised preference for halal-certified insulin and called for legislation governing human milk banks, while the FY2025–26 budget raised the non-filer cash withdrawal levy to 1% and barred non-filers from opening bank accounts.