BISP gets Rs722b in welfare push

ISLAMABAD:

The government has allocated Rs343.89 billion for the Ministry of Interior and its departments and Rs722.48 billion for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), an unconditional cash transfer poverty reduction programme, according to the budget documents.

It has also proposed an allocation of Rs2,550 billion for defense expenditures.

Within the Ministry of Interior's allocation, Rs21.26 billion are proposed for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Rs274.15 billion for the Combined Civil Armed Forces, and Rs1.05 billion for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).

The Ministry of Law and its departments have been allocated Rs23.42 billion. Rs6.64 billion are proposed for the Supreme Court, Rs2.17 billion for the Islamabad High Court, and Rs9.86 billion for the Election Commission of Pakistan. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been allocated Rs7.41 billion.

The Prime Minister's Office (Internal) is proposed to receive Rs857.7 million, while the Prime Minister's Office (Public) has been allocated Rs896.5 million.

Compared to last year, this reflects an increase of Rs124.5 million for the Internal Office and Rs179.5 million for the Public Office. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is proposed to receive Rs19.12 billion.

In terms of defense allocations, the Pakistan Army is set to receive Rs1,165.17 billion, the Pakistan Air Force Rs520.74 billion, and the Pakistan Navy Rs265.97 billion.

Social welfare programmes have also received considerable funding. The BISP has been allocated Rs722.48 billion, while the Poverty Alleviation Division is to receive Rs10.23 billion, and Bait-ul-Mal Rs14.2 billion. The Railways Division is proposed to receive Rs70.45 billion.

The National Assembly gets Rs16.29 billion, Senate Rs9.05 billion in budget.

A total of Rs5.08 billion has been proposed for Members of Parliament (MPs) in terms of salaries and benefits, including Rs2.58 billion for salaries and Rs2.5 billion for travel expenses.

The budget for MPs' allowances and benefits reflects an increase of Rs2.17 billion. Rs1.24 billion have been allocated for the privileges of Standing Committee chairpersons. For the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Rs393.4 million have been proposed.

The leader of the opposition and staff have been allocated Rs83.4 million. Senators' total salaries and benefits are set at Rs1.0638 billion, showing an increase of Rs400 million.

The chairman, deputy chairman of the Senate, and their staff will receive Rs189.6 million, while Rs1.4433 billion have been proposed for the Standing Committee chairpersons of the Senate.

The government has allocated Rs933.7 million for the President's public office expenses and Rs1.75 billion for personal staff expenses and allowances.