Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is preparing to present an interim quarterly budget for the second time in five years.
In the previous general elections held in June, the caretaker government led by Justice (retd) Dost Mohammad presented a budget of Rs198.90 billion for a four-month period due to the absence of an elected government in the province.
Comparatively, five years ago, the budget for development works during the same period was Rs53 billion, while the current caretaker government under Azam Khan is expected to present a budget of over Rs500 billion for four months.
In 2018, the general elections took place in July, and the K-P Assembly was dissolved on May 28, completing its constitutional term. Consequently, there was no elected government in place to present the budget in June.
To address this, the then-caretaker chief minister Justice (retd) Dost Muhammad's government prepared a budget of Rs598 billion for the entire financial year, along with an interim budget of Rs198.90 billion for the period from July to October 2018.
Additionally, a development programme worth Rs53 billion was included to continue funding ongoing development projects throughout the year, bringing the total budget for the year to Rs159 billion. The salaries and pensions of government employees were also increased by 10 percent.
After five years, once again, due to the absence of an elected government and provincial assembly in the province, the caretaker government is preparing to present the budget for the upcoming financial year.
The caretaker government under Azam Khan is developing a 12-month budget, but the provincial cabinet will approve the four-month budget, expected to exceed Rs500 billion. Over Rs120 billion is being allocated for development works during this four-month period.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2023.
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