Balochistan presents Rs152 bn deficit budget for 2010-11
QUETTA: Announcing Rupees 152.1 billion tax free Balochistan Budget for provincial year 2010-11 in provincial assembly here Monday afternoon, provincial Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gailo claimed to have presented the largest budget on account of its size in history of Balochistan.
Delivering his budget speech in provincial assembly which was live telecast by PTV and broadcast by Radio Pakistan, Asim Kurd Galloo said that the size of proposed financial budget for the year 2010-11 is 152.1 billion. The current expenditure estimates are 83.440 billion while capital expenditure estimates are 41.810 billion which include Rupees 4.00 bill of foreign project assistance. Similarly he added the total estimates of receipts are 144.910 billion including Rupees 115.520 bill of Revenue Receipts and 29.390 Billion of capital receipts.
In such a case the budget deficit for the new financial year will be Rupees 7.10 billion which will be bridged through provincial resources. He said Pakistan and particularly people of Balochistan are facing a hard time. No doubt 2009-10 was a year of ordeals and challenges for government and people of Balochistan.
Unfortunate acts of terrorism and target killing of innocent precious human lives besides hampering the economic activity indeed made affairs difficult for us in governance and development arenas. We as coalition government have proved that despite these challenges one can deliver if the will and dedication is inherent in governance for the betterment of the people. While He said provincial government under the able political leadership of the Chief Minster Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani stood to its comments to the people.
While assuming the responsibilities, we inherited major constraint of a huge liability in the shape of over draft which initially decelerated our capability to resolve public issues. We faced the challenge and adopted a suitable strategy by persuading the federal government to assume the liability and emanate sufficient fiscal space to undertake our governance and development goals. Federal government realizing the problem waived off the liability worth Rupees 17 billion which is a historic intervention, we take pride in.
Balochistan CM sacks Jaffer George
QUETTA: Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani dismissed the Minister for minority affairs Jaffer George from his office, Geo News reported Sunday.
According to government sources, the Balochistan CM sacked the minority affairs minister on receipt of report from the government of Punjab; however, he would continue as the member of provincial assembly.
It should be mentioned that George was arrested for making a scene overnight in Lahore. A complaint against him was lodged at Lahore’s Qila Gujjar Singh police station; however, he was released after arrest.
12% increase in electricity prices
Lahore, Pakistan News : In order to get rid of the subsidy culture, the electricity rates would be increased by 18% by April next year, said the Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen in press conference at Islamabad Monday.
He said that the increase in electricity prices has been considered in the negotiations with the IMF in Dubai in two stages.
In the first stage, since January 1, there will be a 12% increase in electricity prices, whereas in the second, there will be a further 6% increase from April 1.
12% increase in electricity prices was first posted on November 16, 2009 at 10:04 pm.
Balochistan Package Named ‘Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan’
Pakistan: Balochistan Package Named ‘Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan’. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani held a detailed meeting with Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Chief Minister, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, Senators as well as MNAs from Balochistan and Members of the Balochistan Cabinet at Prime Minister House on Monday. Prime Minister took them into confidence on the Balochistan package prepared by the Parliamentary Committee.
The meeting, which was also attended by the members of Balochistan Committee, unanimously approved the name of the Balochistan package as “Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan”. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, who is the head of Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan, gave a detailed briefing to the participants of the meeting on the proposed recommendations incorporated in the “Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan” package in order to address the long-standing grievances of the people of Balochistan and bringing them into the mainstream by removing their sense of deprivation.
He informed the members that the package contains three parts including constitutional, administrative and economic measures. The constitutional part will be looked by the constitutional reforms committee while administrative and economic side will be taken care of by the Prime Minister. It was decided that input given by the members belonging to Balochistan will be incorporated in the final draft to make the Balochistan package more effective and successful.
Prime Minister on this occasion said that the federal government attached high priority to socio-economic development of Balochistan as this is must for the country’s progress and prosperity. He said, “all out efforts would be made in that direction to bring Balochistan at par with the developed areas of the country.” Gilani said his government is sincerely working towards comprehensive proposals acceptable to all. Today’s meeting, he added was in continuation of his consultative process to take all stakeholders on board to make “Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan” a success. Prime Minister said the government believes in developing consensus on all issues of national importance as this is imperative for the success and effective implementation of policy decisions.
Balochistan Package Named ‘Aghaze Haqooqai Balochistan’ was first posted on November 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm.
