Prime Minister Imran Khan orders to reduce non-development expenditures in budget

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over a high-level meeting with regard to the proposed budget of the Centre, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and KPk Chief Minister Mahmood Khan briefed the prime minister about the income and expenditures in the next budget. “The budget for next financial year is being presented in exceptional circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.” The prime minister directed the chief ministers to reduce non-development expenditures and increase development expenditures. “In urban areas where the coronavirus outbreak has had a devastating effect, full employment opportunities should be created. The private sector should be facilitated for the accomplishment of projects under public-private partnership,” he said. Imran Khan directed the provinces to pay special attention to the development of the industrial and agriculture sectors. He also ordered the provincial governments to upgrade the health sector with regard to development projects so that the people could have access to quality healthcare facilities. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Minister for Industry Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Advisers Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Dr Ishrat Hussain and Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari were also present in the meeting.