The government is considering increasing the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of Rs1,126 billion by another Rs200 billion, according to budget details obtained by Samaa TV.
The documents show that while major allocations have been proposed for corporations, roads, water resources, provinces and parliamentary schemes, several important sectors including education, climate change, investment, science and food security appear to be receiving limited attention.
According to the documents, the federal development programme currently stands at Rs1,126 billion. However, consideration is being given to increasing the PSDP by an additional Rs200 billion.
Rs755bn for ministries and divisions
Budget documents show that Rs755 billion is planned for 35 ministries and divisions. The documents state that ministries will spend Rs178 billion more compared to last year.
Despite this increase, important areas such as education, climate change, investment, science and food security are being neglected in the proposed development framework.
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Despite ongoing financial difficulties, provincial projects worth Rs100 billion have also been included in the proposed federal development programme. The government has also planned to spend Rs72 billion on development schemes for members of parliament.
These allocations come at a time when questions are being raised over limited funding for several priority sectors.
Major allocations for corporations, roads, water
According to the documents, Rs355 billion has been allocated for various corporations, including the Power Division. A separate allocation of Rs264 billion has been proposed for the construction of roads.
Water resources projects are expected to receive Rs179 billion under the federal development programme.
The government has proposed Rs251.68 billion for provinces and special areas. This represents an increase of nearly Rs50 billion compared to the previous year.
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Within this allocation, Rs86 billion has been proposed for Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been allocated Rs66 billion, according to the documents.
Education, health, IT allocations
The Higher Education Commission has been proposed a development budget of Rs41 billion. A separate Rs36 billion has been allocated for federal education and training under the PSDP.
The IT and telecom sector has been proposed a development budget of Rs20 billion, while Rs22 billion has been allocated for national health projects.
The proposed development programme includes Rs27 billion for railways. Special areas have been allocated Rs24.5 billion.
Science and technological research, however, has received only Rs4.2 billion, highlighting concerns over limited support for innovation and research-led development.
Interior, defence and SIFC allocations
The Ministry of Interior has been proposed Rs16 billion under the PSDP. The Defence Division has been allocated Rs11 billion in the development budget.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council has also been allocated Rs1 billion.
Budget documents show that Rs5.5 billion has been proposed for Suparco. National Food Security projects have been proposed Rs3.20 billion.
The Climate Change Division has been allocated Rs2.78 billion, despite growing concerns over environmental risks and climate-related challenges. The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination has been allocated Rs1.5 billion.
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