ISLAMABAD: Due to the current economic crisis and deteriorating financial condition of the country, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue has directed the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) to stop sanctioning bills including salaries, JEE News reported on Saturday.
The ministry also directed to stop clearing of attached departments till further notice.
Official sources confirmed to JEE News on Friday night that the operational cost release faced difficulties mainly due to the country’s economic woes.
The reporter was unable to get a response when the Finance Division officials were contacted for comment. However, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was contacted for comment. The minister said it could be wrong but promised to get back after confirming it. However, there was no response till 1 am on Saturday when this correspondent filed this report.
Sources said he went to the AGPR office to clear his outstanding bills but was told that the finance ministry had directed him to stop clearing all bills, including salaries, due to the current difficult financial position.
The exact reasons why the passage of the bills was stopped on an urgent basis could not be ascertained.
Prolonged financial difficulties can be cited as a major reason behind this move. Sources said that salaries and pensions of defense related institutions have already been cleared for next month.
Ishaq Dar, while meeting a delegation of M/s Rothschild & Co on February 22, said that “the government is leading the economy towards stability and growth,” he added that “the government has given the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Committed to completing the program. International Responsibilities.”
Dar’s commitment to unlocking the IMF tranche can be seen on February 20 when the National Assembly unanimously approved the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023 or ‘Money Budget’ – a move to disburse $1.1 billion from the IMF. Mandatory to get installment.
The bill raises sales tax on imports from cars and home appliances to chocolate and cosmetics from 17 percent to 25 percent. General sales tax has been increased from 17% to 18%.
The minister told the lower house of parliament that the prime minister would also unveil austerity measures in the next few days after the bill is passed, adding that “we will have to make tough decisions”.
