Latest news with #Rs146
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs146m allocated for Balochistan officers
Amid ongoing law and order situation in Balochistan, the government has expedited the work on implementing "incentive package and policy" for the officers posted in the province and devised a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the allocation of funds. In a recent meeting, the Finance Division briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that the prime minister had approved the revised Incentive Package for PAS and PSP officers posted under the Government of Balochistan (GoB) on January 9, last year. Accordingly, the Establishment Division on January 29, 2024 notified the package, which aimed at motivating the PAS and PSP officers from outside Balochistan to be posted in Balochistan by addressing concerns like high cost of living, lack of facilities, support and social isolation. An SOP had been devised in consultation with the Establishment Division to allocate funds for the under the package, the ECC was informed. As per the SOP the Establishment Division would coordinate with the Balochistan government on a bi-annual basis. The SOP stipulated that funds would be surrendered to the consolidated account of the Balochistan government in favour of the Finance Division. The Finance Division would release the funds after obtaining the Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) from the ECC. Accordingly, the Finance Division surrendered Rs146,413,696 for onward transfer to the Balochistan government in order to meet the demand under the Finance Division's allocation for FY 2024-25. The ECC's approval for the TSG was obtained under Grants, Subsidies & Miscellaneous Expenditures head.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gandapur challenges Maryam to debate
In what seemed to be a bragging contest, the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) touted their "great" performances while belittling each other's work, with the chief minister of the latter challenging the chief minister of the former to a debate. K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who belongs to the PTI, on Thursday announced distributing free laptops among students in the K-P, a move initiated by various PML-N led governments. He said his government would provide the same percentage of students with laptops as the Punjab government. In return, he urged the Punjab chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, to offer free health cards to citizens, just as the K-P government had done. "Our government provided the entire population with the Sehat Card Plus and is now offering life insurance. The Punjab government should also extend these facilities to its entire population," he said. Gandapur claimed that despite challenging circumstances, his government had increased revenue by 55%, urging Punjab to raise its revenue from 12% to 55% as well. He said the K-P government has a surplus of Rs176 billion in its treasury and is the only province to meet the International Monetary Fund's (MF) target. He pointed out that Punjab was given a target of a Rs300 billion surplus by the IMF but instead it incurred a Rs146 billion deficit. The CM said his government is facilitating the weddings of 4,000 underprivileged girls, providing each with Rs200,000. He challenged Punjab's performance, claiming it was not even 1% of K-P's, and declared his willingness to debate the issue. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that while it is often said that governments struggle to perform in their first year, the PML-N has raised the flag of success in both the federal and Punjab governments within just one year. "The Punjab government has already delivered remarkable results, sending a clear message to all provinces to compete in the politics of public service," she said during a press conference at the DGPR, accompanied by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq. According to Bukhari, when someone has nothing substantial to say, he resorts to insults. " The public no longer wants abusive rhetoric, chaos, arson, or attacks on the federation. Other provinces should also initiate projects similar to those in Punjab." She criticized so-called journalists and analysts who once claimed that PML-N had lost relevance but now dismiss the party's rallies as unsuccessful. Bukhari said under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, Punjab's first year in office has been marked by historic achievements and exemplary public service.
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
After Punjab, K-P announces free laptops for students
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced a free laptop scheme for students in the province, pledging to match the percentage of laptop recipients in Punjab. "If Punjab provides laptops to a certain percentage of students, we will do the same," Gandapur said. He urged Punjab's government to reciprocate by offering free health insurance cards similar to those provided in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He highlighted the province's healthcare initiatives, stating, "We have given our entire population the Sehat Card Plus and are now offering life insurance." He challenged the Punjab administration to extend similar benefits to its residents. Gandapur also claimed that his government had increased revenue by 55% despite financial challenges, contrasting it with Punjab's performance. "Punjab's revenue growth is only 12%. Let them increase it to 55% like us," he said. Regarding fiscal management, he asserted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a budget surplus of Rs176 billion and was the only province to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) targets. "Punjab was given an IMF surplus target of Rs300 billion but instead recorded a deficit of Rs146 billion," he noted. The chief minister also announced financial support for underprivileged brides, stating that the provincial government would facilitate the weddings of 4,000 deserving girls, providing each with Rs200,000. Challenging Punjab's governance, he said, "I am ready for a debate. Punjab's performance does not even match 1% of ours."
