Target of Rs. 129 billion in provincial revenues achieved, taxes reduced: KP Financial Adviser
PESHAWAR (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Information Minister, Shafi Jan, and Finance Adviser, Muzammil Aslam, addressed a post-budget press briefing in Peshawar, where they disclosed key features of the provincial budget and details of ongoing financial matters with the federal government.
Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam clarified that the province’s total budget is estimated at Rs. 2.122 trillion and has been named “Khushhal Pakhtunkhwa” (Prosperous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
He said that the province successfully achieved its target of Rs. 129 billion in provincial revenues during the current year. Furthermore, taxes have been reduced in the new fiscal year, including a reduction in the tax on online hotel bookings from 15% to 5%.
Giving priority to public welfare and key sectors, 55% of the total budget has been allocated to education, health, and the home department, while 58% will be spent on salaries and pensions. The provincial government has allocated Rs. 50 billion for the Health Card program, Rs. 15 billion for Ehsaas beneficiaries and Rs. 14 billion for the purchase of police equipment.
In addition, the government announced:
A free Wi-Fi service in Peshawar at a cost of Rs. 500 million, E-bike and E-rickshaw schemes, Rs. 16.5 billion for a good-governance roadmap, Interest-free loans for people going abroad for education and employment.
Speaking about financial matters with the federal government, Muzammil Aslam rejected news reports that all four provinces would contribute funds to the federal government.
He clarified that no such decision was included in the agenda of the National Economic Council, nor is it an authorized forum to make such a decision.
Muzammil Aslam further said that the provincial surplus budget had been portrayed as a deficit budget to create the impression of deliberate resistance, whereas the province had not prepared its budget under any confrontational strategy.
He added that if the NFC Award had been finalized on time, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would have received Rs. 300 billion.
Discussing the financial challenges in the merged former FATA districts, he said that these districts face a budget deficit of Rs. 121 billion. The federal government has provided Rs. 95 billion for their operational expenditures, while the actual expenditure amounts to Rs. 185 billion, significantly higher than the Rs. 66 billion allocated last year.
Regarding government employees, he noted that, unlike other provinces, no government employee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa staged a protest.
During the press conference, he also commented on internal party affairs, saying that some party colleagues dislike him because of his strict temperament.
He added that misunderstandings within the party regarding budget decisions are now being resolved.
