ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced massive cut in subsidies and allocated an amount of Rs699 billion for the fiscal year 2022/2023 as compared with the amount of Rs1.515 trillion in the outgoing fiscal year.
The drastic cut in subsidies has been aimed at curtailing current expenditures to reduce the fiscal deficit.
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Pakistan on June 10, 2022 presented its federal budget 2022/2023 which estimated current expenditure at Rs8.69 trillion during the next fiscal year as compared with estimated Rs8.516 trillion in the outgoing fiscal year.
An amount of Rs3.95 trillion has been allocated for mark-up payments for the fiscal year 2022/2023 as against Rs3.14 trillion in the outgoing fiscal year.
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A whopping Rs3.44 trillion has been earmarked for mark-up payment on domestic debt during the next fiscal year as compared with Rs2.77 trillion in the current fiscal year. Meanwhile, an amount of Rs511 billion has been allocated for mark-up payment on foreign debt during next fiscal year.
The government estimated an amount of Rs530 billion for payment of pension during the next fiscal year. This amount includes Rs395 billion for the pension of military persons and Rs135 billion for the pension of civil employees.
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The government allocated an amount of Rs1.52 trillion for defence affairs and services during fiscal year 2022/2023 as compared with the estimated amount of Rs1.48 trillion in the outgoing fiscal year. The actual allocation was Rs1.37 trillion for the fiscal year 2021/2022.
An amount of Rs100 billion has been allocated for pay and pension during the next fiscal year.
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The government earmarked an amount of Rs550 billion for running of civil government during fiscal year 2022/2023 as compared with Rs530 billion in the current fiscal year. The actual allocation for running of civil government was Rs479 billion in fiscal year 2021/2022.
