The finance secretary told us that the PSDP spending will be around Rs600 billion as against the budget of Rs701 billion, said Faizullah Kamoka while briefing the media persons after the in-camera meeting. The finance secretary also said that Sukuk bonds might be launched in international market on expectations of better response. A mid-term budget review report of the finance ministry showed that from July through December the PSDP utilisation remained at Rs167 billion or 24% of the approved annual budget. As compared to Rs82.7 billion utilisation by the NHA, the Higher Education Commission utilisation amounted to only Rs3.7 billion. Kamoka said that the finance secretary told the committee that the salaries of the employees will be increased in the next budget.

Source: The Express Tribune March 12, 2020 03:22 UTC