PM directs to increase development expenditure in upcoming budget

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to increase development expenditure and reduce non-development spending in the upcoming budget.

He was chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad today (Sunday) on the proposed budget of the Federal government, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the financial year 2020-21. 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Minister for Industry Hamad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Advisors Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, and Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari were present in the meeting.

The economic teams of Chief Minister of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa briefed the meeting about their respective province’s priorities for the upcoming budget.

On the occasion, PM Imran said that the budget for the next financial year was being presented in exceptional circumstances due to coronavirus pandemic.

He directed the concerned authorities to set priorities especially for those projects and to put into practice those priorities which would create employment opportunities and accelerate the wheel of the economy.

The Prime Minister also called for facilitating the private sector for the accomplishment of projects under the public-private partnership.

He further directed the provincial governments to pay special attention to the development of the industrial sector and agriculture.

The premier was also given a special briefing on the priorities in the budget for the development of special economic zones and the agriculture sector.

PM Imran directed that following the pattern of Federal government, provincial governments should also pay special attention to reducing unnecessary government expenditure.

He directed the provincial governments to pay special attention to the up-gradation of the health sector with regard to development projects.