ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: The government has been proposed to allocate Rs266.425 billion for corporations – National Highways Authority (NHA) and National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC)/Pakistan Electric Power Company Limited (Pepco) - in the budget for the next fiscal year (2018-19).

Sources said that allocations have been proposed for these two corporations after detailed discussion in view of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which lays greater emphasis on infrastructure through roads network connectivity and power generation.

The proposed allocation of Rs232 billion for NHA includes foreign assistance of Rs75.867 billion and rupee component of Rs157.433 billion in Public Sector Development Program for the next fiscal year.

The proposed allocation of Rs33.125 billion for NTDC/Pepco includes Rs29.697 billion foreign assistance and Rs3.427 billion rupee component. Sources further stated that foreign assistance for the two corporations includes Rs105.564 billion and rupee component Rs160. 660 billion that brings total allocation to Rs266.425 billion for NHA and NTDC/Pepco.

Allocation of Rs5 billion has been proposed in federal development budget for the next fiscal year for ‘Energy for All’ without any foreign assistance and Rs7.5 billion for Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra). The proposed allocation for Erra includes Rs3 billion foreign assistance and Rs4.5 billion rupee component.

The proposed allocation in development outlay for relief and rehabilitation of temporarily displaced persons (IDPs) and security enhancement as well as for Prime Minister’s Youth Initiative and Gas Infrastructure Development Cess is Rs105 billion without any foreign assistance.

An official stated that proposed allocation of Rs750 billion for PSDP for the next fiscal year includes Rs142 billion foreign assistance and Rs607 billion rupee component.