RDA, WASA, PHA budgets stalled

Key institutions encounter financial deadlock due to lack of approval forum

RAWALPINDI:

Two months into the new fiscal year 2025-26, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have failed to secure final approval for their annual budgets due to the absence of governing bodies.

Sources said RDA has passed a Rs3,953 million budget in its finance subcommittee meeting and made it public, while WASA approved its budget internally but withheld its release until official minutes are issued.

PHA, however, has not even presented its budget to the finance subcommittee due to the same reason.

Under the rules, the governing body — comprising the chief minister's nominated chairman, provincial ministry representatives, and MPAs — is the final approval forum for these authorities.

But despite the government completing a year in office, no such bodies have been constituted in Rawalpindi or elsewhere in Punjab.

Even interim measures assigning housing ministers and commissioners as acting chairmen have not been implemented.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards, the municipal corporation, and the district council have all approved and operationalised their budgets for the ongoing fiscal year.

Officials confirmed that until governing bodies are formed and budgets approved through them, the financial operations of RDA, WASA, and PHA cannot be fully executed.

The fiscal year began on July 1, 2025, and will run until June 30, 2026.

Exhibit promotes women entrepreneurs

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organised a one-day Women SMEs Exhibition, bringing together a diverse group of women entrepreneurs and emerging brands under one roof.

The event provided a vibrant platform for women-led businesses to display their products, network with potential customers, and explore new business opportunities.

The exhibition showcased the important role of women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan's economic development.