In Glasgow [Scotland], Amjad Ayub Mirza, an activist from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), expressed serious concerns regarding the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 presented by the PoJK government.
In a video message, Mirza criticized the local administration for what he called a budget with "significant deficits", noting that the government would struggle to finance its so-called development projects due to an empty treasury.
According to Pakistan's Associated Press, the PoJK government unveiled a budget totaling more than 264 billion rupees, including a development outlay of 44 billion Pakistani currency (PKR). The budget, presented by PoJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, foresees total revenue of PKR 201.17 billion, with the shortfall to be covered by federal grants.
Minister Abdul Majid Khan stated that Inland Revenue expects to collect PKR 75 billion from income tax in the next fiscal year, along with PKR 105 billion from variable federal subsidies and PKR 1 billion from water usage charges, in addition to other income of government departments.
Mirza highlighted: "Although the government has promised increases in pensions and salaries of PoJK government employees, the reality differs significantly." He pointed to ongoing protests by employees of various government departments over the past year and a half demanding a 100% increase in pensions and salaries.
Regarding disaster management, Mirza criticized the allocation of only PKR 25 million and stated: "PoJK, being a disaster-prone mountainous region, requires substantial investment in technology and trained personnel. PKR 25 million is insufficient to address the disaster preparedness needs of the region.
Mirza also mentioned the discontent of retirees over the 10 percent tax implemented by the administration.
Recently, PoJK has witnessed widespread protests against Pakistan, attributed to high inflation, exorbitant electricity bills and slow development progress, highlighting long-standing grievances over Islamabad's negligence.
In a video message, Mirza criticized the local administration for what he called a budget with "significant deficits", noting that the government would struggle to finance its so-called development projects due to an empty treasury.
According to Pakistan's Associated Press, the PoJK government unveiled a budget totaling more than 264 billion rupees, including a development outlay of 44 billion Pakistani currency (PKR). The budget, presented by PoJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, foresees total revenue of PKR 201.17 billion, with the shortfall to be covered by federal grants.
Minister Abdul Majid Khan stated that Inland Revenue expects to collect PKR 75 billion from income tax in the next fiscal year, along with PKR 105 billion from variable federal subsidies and PKR 1 billion from water usage charges, in addition to other income of government departments.
Mirza highlighted: "Although the government has promised increases in pensions and salaries of PoJK government employees, the reality differs significantly." He pointed to ongoing protests by employees of various government departments over the past year and a half demanding a 100% increase in pensions and salaries.
Regarding disaster management, Mirza criticized the allocation of only PKR 25 million and stated: "PoJK, being a disaster-prone mountainous region, requires substantial investment in technology and trained personnel. PKR 25 million is insufficient to address the disaster preparedness needs of the region.
Mirza also mentioned the discontent of retirees over the 10 percent tax implemented by the administration.
Recently, PoJK has witnessed widespread protests against Pakistan, attributed to high inflation, exorbitant electricity bills and slow development progress, highlighting long-standing grievances over Islamabad's negligence.
