Punjab outpaces 3 provinces by proposing Rs500b for next budget

ISLAMABAD: Punjab has outpaced three other provinces collectively Sindh, KP and Balochistan in terms of proposing size of annual development programme (ADP) at Rs500 billion for the next budget 2018-19 out of total ADPs of Rs1,013 billion proposed by all the four provinces.

However, Punjab has slashed proposed size of ADP to the tune of Rs135 billion in the coming budget, bringing it down from Rs635 billion in outgoing fiscal to Rs500 billion for next budget 2018-19. Despite this reduction, Punjab made the highest allocation for its development programme among the provinces.

Interestingly, on one side the PTI leadership has refused to present budget for the whole financial year but on other hand, they informed the Center officially that the next fiscal year’s ADP size will stand at Rs108 billion for the coming budget 2018-19 against Rs208 billion proposed on the eve of last budget.

All the four provinces have proposed size of ADPs to the tune of Rs1013 billion for the next budget 2018-19 against Rs1,112 billion in the previous budget for 2017-18 so the proposed size for next budget was cut down by Rs 99 billion for 2018-19. Out of proposed size of Rs 1013 billion shared by four provinces, the rupee component of ADPs will be estimated at Rs865 billion and foreign aid Rs148 billion in the coming financial year.

The provinces on Monday confirmed into Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) meeting held at Planning Commission that the size of ADPs of Punjab proposed at Rs500 billion for the next budget against Rs635 billion earmarked in the previous budget 2017-18.

The Sindh government has proposed size of ADP to the tune of Rs315 billion for coming fiscal year against Rs244 billion earmarked on eve of last budget for 2017-18. The PTI led KP government has proposed ADP to the tune of Rs108 billion for the next budget. Balochistan’s ADP will be standing at Rs90 billion for the next financial year against Rs80 billion allocated in the last budget for 2017-18.