Annual budget of Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam approved

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Rawalpindi: General Council of Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam unanimously approved annual budget 2010-11 and annual report in its meeting held at Faizabad campus here on Monday.General …

Written on July 20, 2010 | Posted in 2010, budget, budget 2010, islam, unlmitie | Leave a comment

NA meets today

ISLAMABAD: The session of National Assembly would start from today at 5 pm after break of two days. The NA session would be presided over by Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza. The NA on Friday passed annual budget 2010-2011. Later, the Speaker adjourned the House to meet again on Monday. The House passed the Finance Bill with a majority vote when the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) members had already walked out on the grounds that their recommendations were not incorporated in the budget.

Written on June 28, 2010 | Posted in 2010, 2011, News, Pakistan, Politics, budget, budget 2010, islam, islamabad, recommendations | Leave a comment

PM Gilani calls on President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday night. Current political situation in the country was discussed during the meeting. The Prime Minister also apprised the President about the passage of the Federal Budget 2010-11 by the National Assembly on Friday. The President congratulated the Prime Minister, his cabinet and the Parliament for the smooth passage of the budget from the Parliament. The President later hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister.

Written on June 26, 2010 | Posted in 2010, News, budget, budget 2010, federal budget, islam, islamabad | Leave a comment

All govt expenditures frozen except defence, salaries: Dr. Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Hafeez Shaikh on Tuesday said that the people of Pakistan are centre and heart of the budget 2010-11 and the government tried to provide relief to the common man. “The budget was made in difficult economic condition but it is triumph of the parliament that we are taking agenda of economic reforms forward,” he said while winding up budget debate in National Assembly. Hafeez Shaikh said that since the budget was people-centric so there was no question of taking measures in the budget that would have inflationary impact. He said that no mystery was created in the budget and the figures presented were realistic to ensure transparency adding that the budget should be an open document so that the people discuss it at every forum. However, the finance minister said that since the budget was an instrument of economic management so it could not cover each and every aspect of economy adding that it is just management of government’s expenditures and revenues. “Pakistan has made international commitments and being a sovereign country we have to fulfill these commitments. Similarly, the country is facing security challenges and we have to protect law enforcing forces,” he remarked. He said that it was the first budget after the 18th amendment and National Finance Commission (NFC) award; it would trengthen the provinces and protect the federation. It was no more a budget of bureaucracy, rather it was people centric, he added. Shaikh lauded the government for bringing the country’s economy out of crisis and putting it on right path, however added that the economy recovery was fragile which needed proper attention and care to sustain. “The economic recovery was a difficult task, but the credit goes to the government for taking bold and unpopular decisions. The recovery is fragile and we have to tackle it like a little plant to nourish, otherwise it would collapse,” the finance minister remarked. He said the past two years witnessed economic recovery with four per cent growth rate of the GDP and reduction of inflation from 25 to 12 per cent, he added. Hafeez Shaikh lauded the role of government and opposition for commending and criticizing the finance bill. He said that it was the first budget of Pakistan that has been discussed so much. He also appreciated the efforts of Senate body on finance and Revenue, Chairman and member of Senate and members of National Assembly for their recommendations and criticism. He said the parliamentarians have given a clear massage that they were coming with the theme “unit.” Hafeez Shaikh said that the government has taken several measures in the budget to control the inflation. These included freezing of expenditure. Even the President and the Prime Minister have voluntarily accepted the freeze, he added. He said the people used to say that the government had withdrawn duty on edible items, including pulses and rice. There is no duty on these edible items and the subsidies on edible items are still intact, he added. He said not a single item’s Customs Duty has been increased rather it has been reduced on 29 items that have direct impact on people’s lives. In addition, he said the government has increased salaries of government employees by 50 percent besides raising pensions. “When there is inflation, we have two choices either to reduce prices or compensate through other means like we increased the salaries of the government employees,” he remarked. He said the government would consider further increase in government employees salaries as proposed. Hafeez Sheikh said that another relief has been provided to people by enhancing the taxable income from Rs. 8,500 to Rs. 25,000, saying that this measure would benefit at least 0.8 million people. He said minimum wages have also been enhanced from Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 adding that after the recommendations of Senate for further increase, a committee has been constituted to consider the matter. He said on one side the government has increased wages of the government employees and on the other it has reduced the salaries of cabinet members by 10 per cent. The finance minister said the budget has introduced a unique idea to provide targeted subsidies to the people adding that the scope of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has been increased to achieve this target. He said that the BISP allocations have been enhanced from Rs.46 billion last year to Rs.50 billion this year. Besides Rs.2 billion have been provided to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, he added. He said that health insurance scheme has been introduce to help the deserved besides Rs. 3 billion provided for the internships of post-graduate students. He said there was much criticism on health and education allocations, adding that since 57 percent of the budget has been provided to the provinces, it would have direct impact on the lives of people. He said that the provinces have got 86 per cent increase in allocations under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) adding that “those criticizing the government should not ignore the facts”. He said Rs. 280 billion are federal share of PSDP against the realized PSDP amount of Rs.240 billion last year. He said there has been a policy shift in PSDP allocations as the projects nearing completion would be given priority instead of starting new ones. He said the funding would be made through an automatic mechanism and the finance ministry would have no hold on realizing funds according to its own priorities. He said that the government has provided special allocations for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) which would give new direction to their development.

Written on June 22, 2010 | Posted in 2010, Economy, Health, ISI, International, News, Pakistan, Politics, War, aid, budget, budget 2010, cia, education, islam, islamabad, live, projects, recommendations | Leave a comment

Rs 26.75 bn allocated for uplift projects in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has allocated Rs. 26.75 billion for the next financial year 2010-11 to launch new uplift projects. The allocation was made through annual Balochistan Budget 2010-11 and is being termed an important step to put the province on the track of progress and prosperity. The development funds of Rs14 billion will be spent to carry out new development schemes to be presented by members of the Balochistan Assembly. Delivering the budget speech, Provincial Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gailu said the government WAs going to initiate 500 new development schemes in the province. About Rs 5.85 billion were earmarked for the development of communication sector. The revenue surplus of over Rs. 19 billion, foreign project loans of Rs. 4 billion and Japanese grant of Rs. 812 million will also support Balochistan’s development projects. The deficit of Rs. 7.1 billion of the budget will be bridged through cut in its current expenditure. Subsidy on flour has been reduced to Rs. 418 million from Rs. 1 billion due to decreased target for the purchase of wheat.

Written on June 22, 2010 | Posted in 2010, Balochistan, Politics, aid, budget, budget 2010, cia, import, live, projects | Leave a comment

Govt should feel ashamed on suicides: JI

LAHORE: Naib Amir Jamat-e-Islami Liaquat Baloch Frdiay said the government should be ashamed of itself on several incidents of suicides in the country. Liaquat Baloch, in order to express condolence, visited the residence of the Rikshaw driver, Akbar, who along with his three daughters committed suicide by consuming poison in Shahpur Kanjran. He said the committing of suicides by the poor at the hands of poverty is a result of flawed government policies. The genie of price hike let loose by the present government has made it almost impossible for the poor to survive, he added. Liaquat Baloch termed the budget 2010-11 as ‘anti-people’ and called for its review and granting relief to the people already crushed by ever-increasing inflation.

Written on June 18, 2010 | Posted in 2010, ISI, News, aid, budget, budget 2010, islam | Leave a comment

MQM sidlined in budget preparation: Sardar Ahmed

KARACHI: Parliamentary leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Syed Sardar Ahmed Friday said that his party was taken into confidence over the preparation of Sindh Budget 2010-11. Talking to Geo News by phone Syed Sardar Ahmed said MQM will oppose collection of tax on services by the Federation instead of the province which, he said, is in violation of the Constitution. He said Sindh has been fighting with the Federation for its legitimate rights for the past decade. Syed Sardar Ahmed noted that the senior Grade officials will be benefited more with 50 raise in salaries of the government employees. MQM has proposed raise in salaries in accordance with Grade, he added.

Written on June 11, 2010 | Posted in 2010, News, Politics, aid, budget, budget 2010, cia, karachi | Leave a comment

MNAs for increasing minimum wage to Rs10000

ISLAMABAD: Members of the various political parties urged the government to increase minimum wage to Rs 10000 and take effective measures to overcome energy crisis. They while taking part in the National Assembly’’s debate on the budget 2010-2011 today also expressed concerns over the withdrawal of subsidies on various food items. Taking part in the debate Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan urged the government to take effective measures on priority basis to overcome energy crisis. He also stressed the need for paying more attention on the development of agriculture sector, which would not only help increase in yield but also improve economic conditions of the farmers. Akram Maseh Gill expressed concern over ignoring Christian community and called upon the government to pay attention on the resolution of socio-economic problems being faced by them. He urged the government to also provide special funds to the deserving Christians from Pakistan Baitul Maal besides enhancing allocations for them. Dr. Azra Fazal Pechoho termed the budget as people-friendly saying that efforts have been made to ensure sustainable economic growth init. She urged the government to mobilize all resources for improvement of socio-economic conditions of poor masses. Khushbakht Shujaat emphasized the need for diverting economic resources to the federating units so that effective measures could be taken for the improvement of neglected segments of the society. She said there is dire need of taking more measures to overcome price hike, unemployment, illiteracy and reduce poverty. Tanweer Hussain expressed concern over withdrawal of subsidies on food commodities and said this will result in harming the poor farmers. He emphasized for substantial increase in the salaries of low-paid employees particularly the contractual people. Prince Mohyuddin appreciated the government for its efforts against terrorist elements and said that more resources should be allocated for defence sector to root out this menace. He called upon the government to expedite work on Lowari Top Tunnel to link Chitral with the rest of the country.

Written on June 11, 2010 | Posted in 2010, 2011, Pakistan, Politics, War, aid, budget, budget 2010, cia, defence, islam, islamabad, society | Leave a comment

Electoral System Going Digital in Pakistan

I think its fair to say this is easily the best news update i have heard in the past week, clearly i was disppointed with Budget 2010-11 and Economic Survey 2009-10. Yes folks its true , Electoral system is going digital as SC decides to introduce electronic voting system in Paksitan. With all nations

Written on June 7, 2010 | Posted in 2009, 2010, Current Affairs, News, Political News, Politics, budget, budget 2010, election-commission, elections, electoral system, fair | Leave a comment

Better salaries urged for teachers

Thursday, May 27, 2010 RawalpindiTeachers have urged the federal as well as provincial government to raise their salaries in the next fiscal budget 2010-2011 as per the rising ratio of inflation, say…

Written on May 27, 2010 | Posted in 2010, budget 2010, cia, unlmitie | Leave a comment

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