Govt has cut expenditure by Rs20 billion: finance secretary

Finance secretary also says fiscal deficit will remain at Rs361 billion for the fiscal year 2010-11.

ISLAMABAD: Finance Secretary Salman Siddique claims the government has cut current expenditures by around Rs20 billion.

Briefing the participants of Pakistan Development Forum, the finance secretary said power subsidy has been reduced from Rs256 billion to Rs66 billion.

The finance secretary said fiscal deficit will remain at Rs361 billion for the fiscal year 2010-11. He said the role of Trading Corporation Pakistan in importing sugar is being abolished.

Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Hafiz Kardar says inflation is expected to exceed initial estimates of 9.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, Britain has warned Pakistan that its failure to reform its corrupt government has put in jeopardy its chances of being the biggest recipient of British foreign aid.