Infrastructure, development get Rs190bn

The utilisation of funds for development schemes of the former parliamentarians appeared to taper off on the eve of elections yet remained the second-largest expenditure portfolio in the Rs190 billion overall disbursements for a struggling Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in the first seven months of 2023-24.

The latest data on development expenditure released by the Planning Commission, special areas including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the erstwhile Fata areas emerged as the largest head with Rs40.5bn in the July-January period, followed by Rs35.6bn of the parliamentarian’s scheme.

However, if seen in the context of budget allocations, the parliamentarian schemes overshadowed even the special areas. The special areas consumed less than 24pc of Rs167bn allocation compared to 40pc by MNAs schemes envisaging Rs90bn budget allocation.