ISLAMABAD: The government has diverted Rs12 billion from development projects for climate change, energy, and road infrastructure schemes to cover expenses for the ongoing population census, due to poor budgeting.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, approved the move after the finance ministry refused to fund the constitutionally-obligated census from the current budget.
The government had not made adequate allocations for the census despite knowing its schedule.
The ECC approved the following:
- PKR 6 billion or 5% cut from the National Highway Authority’s development budget.
- PKR 2 billion or 21% reduction from the Climate Change Ministry’s development budget.
- PKR 2 billion or 4.5% cut from the Planning Ministry’s allocation.
- PKR 2 billion or 5% cut from the Power Division’s annual development allocation.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics needs PKR 12 billion to clear the liabilities of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), armed forces, and district governments for the ongoing population census.
Additionally, the ECC also approved PKR 201 billion borrowing for financing wheat operations, including interest payments of PKR 16 billion on the loans.
