Punjab caretaker govt okays four-month interim budget

The caretaker government of Punjab has given its nod to an interim budget, spanning four months from November 2023 to February 2024.

The budget, totaling a staggering 2,027 billion rupees, was announced today during a press conference held in Lahore by Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir.

Development budget and debt repayment

Out of the allocated budget, an impressive 450 billion rupees have been earmarked for the development of Punjab during this short period.

Additionally, the government has allocated 10 billion rupees for priority projects in the agricultural sector, recognizing the crucial role of agriculture in the province's economy.

A further 2 billion rupees have been allocated to boost the information technology sector. Furthermore, the Punjab government has committed 80 billion rupees to pay off the debts owed to the federal government.

Infrastructure and roads

The caretaker government has also allotted 10 billion rupees for the construction and repair of roads and buildings. This investment is expected to have a significant impact on improving infrastructure across the province.

Crackdown on Illegal foreigners

In a bid to address concerns related to illegal immigrants, the government has set a deadline of October 31, 2023, for all illegal foreigners to voluntarily leave Pakistan. Starting from November 1, a comprehensive operation, backed by a significant budget allocation, will be initiated to identify and deport illegal foreigners residing in the country.

Election preparations in full swing

With Pakistan gearing up for the upcoming general elections, Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir reaffirmed that the elections will be conducted as scheduled. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi have expressed their unwavering commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process.

Enhanced security measures

To secure the electoral process, the Punjab government, in collaboration with the Chief Election Commissioner, is actively working on preparations. Over 50,000 polling stations are under construction in Punjab, with more than 7,000 designated as sensitive areas, warranting additional security measures.

An impressive deployment of over 260,000 personnel will be assigned to these polling stations, with an additional 145,000 army and rangers personnel set to perform duty to maintain peace and security during the elections.

Special security arrangements are also being put in place for international observers visiting the elections, ensuring their safety and the integrity of the electoral process.