Govt Goes Rs. 712 Billion Over-Budget in Past 2 Years Combined

The federal government has presented details in the National Assembly showing that it exceeded the approved budgets by a total of Rs. 712.41 billion over the past two fiscal years, and has now initiated the process of securing approval for these supplementary expenditures. During the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25, which ends on June 30, 2025, various ministries collectively spent Rs. 343 billion more than their approved allocations. Among these, the Ministry of Defence overspent by Rs. 61 billion, while the Power Division exceeded its budget by Rs. 129 billion. The Federal Board of Revenue recorded an overrun of Rs. 6.99 billion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting spent Rs. 2 billion above its allocation, and the Ministry of Interior reported excess spending of Rs. 10 billion. Pakistan Post exceeded its budget by Rs. 6 billion, the Ministry of Food Security by Rs. 1.99 billion, and the Ministry of Health by Rs. 24 billion. For the fiscal year 2023-24, total excess expenditures stood at Rs. 369 billion. The Ministry of Defence again featured prominently with over Rs. 42 billion in additional spending, while the Ministry of Interior reported an overrun of more than Rs. 17 billion. Expenditures on pensions and allowances surpassed allocations by over Rs. 7.66 billion. The Atomic Energy Commission spent Rs. 4.86 billion more than approved, and the Airport Security Forces recorded an excess of Rs. 600 million. Parliamentary approval for these supplementary grants is now being sought after the spending has already occurred.