NA approves Rs968bn budgetary allocations

NAVEED BUTT & ZULFIQAR AHMAD

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday approved budgetary allocations of Rs968.041 billion for 10 demands for grants of the ministries of interior, poverty alleviation and social safety, and national food security and research, rejecting all 280 opposition cut motions aimed at reducing government spending.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb presented demands for grants for the year ending June 30, 2027, in the House for approval. Opposition lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) criticised the performance and efficiency of the relevant ministries, saying they had failed to provide relief, protection, and basic services to citizens.

The House approved three demands for grants worth Rs859.977 billion for the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, rejecting 45 cut motions moved by opposition members.

The House approved Rs74.354 billion in budgetary allocations for key departments of the Interior Ministry during consideration of three demands for grants for the financial year ending June 30, 2027, while rejecting 123 cut motions moved by opposition members.

The House also approved three demands for grants of Rs33.71 billion by rejecting 112 cut motions of opposition for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and its affiliated organisations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The House approved the largest allocation for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), at Rs844.78 billion, to continue its social protection and cash transfer initiatives for low-income households across the country.

In addition, the House approved Rs14.39 billion for Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) to finance welfare-oriented programmes, including assistance for vulnerable segments of society.

A further Rs806.27 million was allocated for the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division to meet its operational and administrative expenditure requirements during the financial year ending June 30, 2027.

About the Interior Ministry, the House approved Rs26.65 billion for the Interior and Narcotics Control Division to meet its expenditure requirements during the financial year ending June 30, 2027. An additional Rs23.13 billion was sanctioned under the head of ‘Other Expenditure’ of the Interior and Narcotics Control Division.

The House also approved Rs23.22 billion for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration to support its operational and development-related expenditures. A total of Rs1.36 billion was approved for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) for the upcoming fiscal year to continue its efforts aimed at countering terrorism and enhancing national security coordination.

About the Food Ministry, the House approved Rs22.23 billion for the National Food Security and Research Division to meet its operational expenditure during the financial year ending June 30, 2027.

A further Rs7.29 billion was allocated to the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) to support agricultural research and development activities across the country. In addition, the House approved Rs4.18 billion under the head of development expenditure of the National Food Security and Research Division for ongoing and new development projects in the agriculture and food security sectors.

During discussion on cut motions on demands for grants for these ministries, opposition lawmakers from PTI and JUI-F sharply criticised their performance, saying the departments had failed to deliver, with citizens facing issues related to passport blocking and issuance of national identity cards.

They said that the people are insecure and are facing a worst law and order situation in the country. They added that terrorism is increasing in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They said that the government could not provide relief to small farmers.

Winding up the discussion on the cut motions, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry highlighted reforms carried out in different departments of the Interior Ministry. He said the government is firmly committed to peace in the country by eradicating the menace of terrorism. He said that NACTA and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centers have been made functional.

Chaudhry said the government has significantly strengthened its immigration and passport verification system, resulting in a forty-seven percent reduction in illegal migration from the country to various destinations worldwide.

He said arrangements are being made to ensure that passport facilities are also available at NADRA offices. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said that the ministry is taking comprehensive measures for the assistance and welfare of the country’s deserving and vulnerable segments.

He said that out of 568 facilitation centres under the Nashonuma programme, more than 100 have been established in Balochistan.

He added that under PBM, scholarships are being provided in 73 educational institutions, including 21 institutions located in Balochistan. Winding up the discussion on the cut motions, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said the agriculture sector has the potential to turn around the economy. He said the provinces are investing Rs200 billion to strengthen the agricultural sector.