The World Bank has raised concerns about Pakistan’s state expenditurestotaling 1,124 billion rupees, as reported by ARY News in Islamabad onMonday. According to sources, the WB has recommended reducing varioussubsidies to achieve cost savings, suggesting that 167 billion rupees couldbe saved by cutting the Tariff Differential Subsidy (TDS). Additionally,the bank has suggested that 20 billion rupees could be saved by completelyeliminating or reducing subsidies on tubewells. The lender has alsorequested a gradual reduction in funds allocated to devolved ministries,potentially allowing the federal government to save up to 328 billionrupees. Furthermore, the World Bank has recommended including theprovincial share in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) expenses,which could result in federal government savings of up to 217 billionrupees. Regarding government funding for programs delivering services inprovinces, the bank has proposed that 315 billion rupees could be saved byredefining expenditure. Additionally, the bank has suggested potentialsavings of seven billion rupees through the cancellation of the wheatsupport price subsidy.
Pakistan government faces increasing pressure from World Bank
