Actual PM Office budget 12% less than previous year

Finance ministry says over Rs1b figure mentioned in ‘misinformed’ media reports includes Rs300m for NDMA

ISLAMABAD: The finance ministry on Thursday said the actual 2019-20 budget for the Prime Minister Office is 12 per cent lower than the outgoing fiscal year’s allocation.

In an official statement in response to ‘misinformed’ media reports, the ministry pointed out that of the Rs1.17 billion allocated to the PM Office for 2019-20, only Rs862.9 million has been reserved for actual PM Office expenses. In contrast, Rs986 million were allocated for PM Office expenses for 2018-19.

According to the Finance Division, the Rs1.17 billion figure includes a Rs309 million allocation for NDMA, which “although autonomous with its own budget line, has been parked under the PM Office.”



“Hence, the budget of NDMA must not be and should not be confused with the distinct budget items of the PM Office,” the statement read.

It added that in line with the ongoing austerity drive, the federal government has also slashed PM Office expenditures in the outgoing fiscal year by an ‘unprecedented’ 32% – against the Rs986 million allocation, the PM Office brought down its expenses to Rs675 million by reducing spending on HR, equipment and refreshments.

“The coordinated effort to bring austerity through rationalisation of current federal expenditures would continue in future under the high standards set by the PM Office, based on the PM’s vision of cutting down expenditures,” the statement concluded.