Day: June 21, 2024

Balochistan budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 with a total outlay of 930 billion rupees, with 25 billion rupees surplus, was presented in Provincial Assembly in Quetta today. Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Noshirwani, while presenting the budget, said 609 billion rupees have been allocated for non-development expenditures while 321 billion rupees for developmental expenses. He added 146.9 billion rupees have been earmarked for education sector, while 20 billion rupees for health. The Finance Minister added more than 23.8 billion rupees have been placed for the development of the agriculture sector while over one billion rupees for food security. Mir Shoaib Noshirwani announced an increase of 25% in salaries of government employees from Grade 1 to 16, and 22% for Grade 17 to 22. He also announced 15% increase in pension. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Asian Development Bank have signed a loan program worth 250 million dollars for promoting sustainable public-private partnerships. The program will strengthen the governance framework and environment for public-private partnerships at the federal level in Pakistan. It will also help Pakistan drive sustainable investments in infrastructure and services through Public-Private partnerships. Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Dr. Kazim Niaz and Country Director ADB Yong Ye signed the loan program. Kazim Niaz thanked the ADB for its continued support to Pakistan's critical development needs and rehabilitation efforts in post-flood context. The ADB Country Director underscored the importance of a conducive environment for fostering strategic and fiscally affordable public private partnerships in Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Amiri Moghaddam called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore today and discussed cooperation in different fields. They also reviewed opportunities to boost cooperation in agriculture, livestock and other sectors. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao has arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit. He was received at the Islamabad International Airport by Additional Foreign Secretary Asia and Pacific Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Minister Liu Jianchao will call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and hold extensive bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister Liu will also co-chair third meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism of the political parties on CPEC. Source: Radio Pakistan