In total, the planning ministry authorised Rs129 billion worth of spending, including Rs61.3 billion for the parliamentarians’ schemes. The money for the parliamentarians’ schemes was given at the cost of other critical projects. The Planning Ministry sanctioned Rs1.5 billion for spending but actual spending against the Railways projects was nil. Important ministries also could not get money for spending, although the planning ministry had issued authorization orders. As against the Higher Education Commission’s annual budget of Rs59.7 billion, the Planning Ministry issued authorization for Rs5 billion.

Source: The Express Tribune August 11, 2023 16:50 UTC