Bid to garner support of stressed masses

Govt presents Rs 2.96 trn election budget

Almost all taxes reduced, no new tax , Educated youths to get internships, PM House converted into advanced studies institute , Defence sector gets Rs20b increase , Opp terms budget unrealistic with deficit uncontrollable

islamabad—In a bid to seek support of economically depressed masses, the Gilani Government presented on Friday evening an election budget, 2012-013, curtailing almost all existing taxes and providing relief across the board to all segments of society. However, the budget with a total outlay of Rs. 2.96 trillion presented by Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh amidst uproar by the opposition in the National Assembly was termed by the opposition as unrealistic. The rosy picture painted by the government does not match with the ground realities where masses are reeling under economic hardships. But, the opposition said.

Rs873b PSDP in budget

Islamabad—The budget 2012-13 has earmarked a sum of Rs873 billion for the public sector development plan (PSDP). Out of this Rs 513 billion have been allocated to provinces. Federal PSDP has been estimated at Rs 360 billion, out of which Rs 207 billion to Federal Ministries/Divisions, Rs 80 billion to corporations, Rs 36 billion to Special Areas and Rs 27 billion to Special Programmes and Rs 10 billion to ERRA. The other development expenditure outside PSDP for 2012-13 has been estimated at Rs 154 billion.

20% adhoc relief for govt employees, pensioners ,Salient features , Cabinet okays budget proposals

Islamabad—Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has announced 20% ad hoc relief in pay and pension of Federal Government employees during the next financial year. While presenting the Federal Budget in the National Assembly on Friday, the Finance Minister said the government is aware of the difficulties being faced by the civil servants and said credit goes to the government that it provided relief to them in the past four years as well. However contrary to expectations, the Minister did not announce increase in house rent and conveyance allowance of the civil servants.

Nisar to resist ‘anti-poor’ budget Govt ‘called for’ unruly behaviour

Islamabad—Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Friday, rejected the budget document for the year 2012-13, saying the government was like a gambler who has lost everything on moral, political and constitutional grounds. “The government has turned a deaf ear to the woes of the people of Pakistan.” Speaking outside the National Assembly after the rowdy budget session of the National Assembly, Nisar said the people across Pakistan did not have access even to basic necessities. “On the other hand, Zardari and his team are always out of the country whenever the country passes through tough times,” he said.

Italy may also launch drone attacks on Pak-Afghan border area

Islamabad—According to Airforce-technology.com the United States is now planning to arm Italy’s fleet of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with missiles and bombs, in a bid to “protect Italian armed forces from enemy threats” in Afghanistan. Until now the United States and Britain had been using drones against “enemy elements” but almost all drones attacks carried out along Pak-Afghan borders areas had been carried out by American CIA. The website claimed that the Obama administration was likely to announce the deal within two weeks, following which the US-built drones, operated by Italian air forces, will be equipped with weapons such as laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles.

MQM terms budget as ordinary one JI also criticises budget

Islamabad—Dr Farooq Sattar, minister and MQM parliamentary leader in the National Assembly on Friday termed the budget as ordinary one and asked for making it extraordinary. Talking to the media after the budget session, Dr Sattar said if the shadow budget which was suggested by the MQM was implemented, it would have provided relief to masses. He said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured to take in MQM proposals in the budget. There was need to put direct tax on the income of feudal class, besides improving production of oil and electricity and reducing its tariff, he opined.

Loadshedding woes irk masses as power cut not decreasing

Islamabad/Lahore—Electricity shortfall on Friday decreases from 8,000 mega watts to 5,800 mega watts on Friday as the power generation improved while 15 hours loadshedding recorded in cities and 22 hours power breakdown reported in the villages which badly hampers businesses and daily routine of the citizens.