Islamabad: The National Assembly has approved 125 demands for grants pertaining to different ministries, divisions, and departments for the next financial year. The demands for grants were moved by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
According to Radio Pakistan, there were no cut motions on eighty-nine demands for grants. These grants are associated with various sectors including Atomic Energy, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Naya Pakistan Housing Development Authority, National Security Division, Intelligence Bureau, Climate Change, Commerce Division, and more. The approval also covers grants for Defence Services, Higher Education Commission, National Health Services, and other key divisions.
Besides, eighteen demands for grants related to the Cabinet Secretariat were also nodded by the National Assembly. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary addressed the assembly, emphasizing that the budget for the Prime Minister's House remains unchanged for the next financial year. He also mentioned the finalized proposals for bureaucratic reforms awaiting the Prime Minister's approval.
Chaudhary further highlighted significant foreign investments in sectors like agriculture and mining due to the Special Investment Facilitation Council's initiatives, with expectations of billions in investments from GCC countries.
The House also approved six demands for grants related to energy. Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari noted a reduction in the Power Division's financial burden and circular debt, alongside decreased losses in Power Distribution Companies. He announced plans to abolish economic load-shedding next year, focusing restrictions only on loss-making transformers to ensure uninterrupted electricity for regular bill payers.
Additionally, the assembly approved twelve demands for grants for the Finance Division. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed confidence in meeting the tax revenue targets without imposing new taxes. He highlighted a recovery of 450 billion rupees through litigation efforts.
The House rejected all cut motions on these demands for grants. The assembly is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow at eleven in the morning.