KP Chief Minister faces budget approval challenge

PESHAWAR: The approved budget’s term for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has concluded, and the provincial parliament will now seek approval for additional expenditure.

The caretaker government had granted approvals for four-month budgets in June and October. The first term ended on October 31, while the second term concluded on February 29. Due to the delayed assembly session request, approval for timely expenditures could not be granted.

However, the approval for ongoing expenditures, including February salaries for employees, has been issued, and all administrative departments, including the finance Department, are functioning as usual.

According to sources, a budget session will be requested next week, where the new elected government will present its four-month budget for approval by the assembly. The caretaker government, in place for 13 months and 12 days, finally came to its end. The members of the caretaker cabinet and the caretaker Chief Minister have already shifted their belongings from the official residences. 

In January 2023, the KP Assembly was dissolved ahead of schedule, and late Azam Khan was appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister. He formed two caretaker cabinets, but on November 11, 2023, he passed away, leading to the appointment of Justice (Retd.) Syed Arshad Qaiser as the caretaker Chief Minister. After the general elections, the elected Chief Minister will take over, bringing an end to the caretaker government.

The caretaker seat has been occupied for the longest duration by Justice (Retd.) Arshad Qaiser, followed by Mian Feroz Jamal Shah Khel and Masood Shah. All three cabinet members were part of the caretaker system from the beginning until the end.

Aziz Buneri
Aziz Buneri
Author is a senior journalist and working in the field of journalism since 2004. He covers Financial, Social, Political and regional issues for Pakistan today and Profit. He can reached at [email protected]

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