ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of Finance on Saturday rejected media reports regarding any delay in release of funds for development projects and salaries of federal government employees as “baseless and false”.
It would have been appropriate for the news channel to contact Finance Division’s spokesperson before airing such news, but unfortunately this was not done so, said a clarification received from Finance Division’s spokesperson.
Pakistan remains on track to meet all commitments of the IMF programme, evident from the smooth and successful completion of the Staff Level Agreement (SLA) of the first review.
Important fiscal highlights relating to funds availability are as follows: FD has already released quarter 2 funds both for current (salary pension and non-ERE) and development expenditure.
Further, PD & SI Division has accordingly authorized funds for development expenditure to line ministries.
No change has been made by FD or Planning Division in the release strategy. Moreover, FD has released all Q 2 funds for BISP and transfer to beneficiaries is already well underway.
Similarly, all funds committed to subsidize power sector, in line with CDMP requirements, have been made available by FD.
Further, as per tradition, release of salary to Christian community before Christmas has been ensured by Finance Division. Revenue collection by FBR and NTR collection by other ministries is fully on track.
These facts clearly establish that the said news item was aired without any evidence and without taking the view point of the government.
