More uplift funds will be doled out to lawmakers in budget

ISLAMABAD: The National Economic Council (NEC) has made adjustments in the development budget and increased allocations for Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Program (SAP) for parliamentarians from Rs50 to Rs70 billion for the next budget.

Earlier, for the controversial SDGs Achievement Programme, the allocation was proposed at Rs50 billion, and it was recommended at the same level by the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) in its meeting held last Monday. However, the allocation of the SAP programme for parliamentarians was increased by Rs20 billion. The SAP programme allocation stood at Rs50 billion in the outgoing fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025.

However, the allocation of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been slashed from the proposed allocation of Rs45 billion, as it was earlier recommended by the APCC.

On the other hand, amid increasing tension with India over water issues, the government is all set to allocate Rs147.8 billion for water sector requirements in the upcoming budget, including earmarking Rs35 billion for the Diamer-Basha Dam.

The government has proposed allocation of Rs147.816 billion for water sector requirement, including rupee component of Rs96 billion and foreign exchange component of Rs51.718 billion for the next budget 2025-26. For the Dasu hydropower project, the allocated amount stood at Rs20 billion in the next budget.