The Planning Commission of Pakistan (PCP) has so far released Rs 143.4 billion under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) against the total allocations of Rs 233 billion for the fiscal year 2012-13. Out of the total, Rs 75.4 billion have been released for 347 infrastructure development projects while Rs 63.3 billion for 712 social sector projects were released up to April 5, according to the latest data of the Planning Commission. Similarly, Rs 1.9 billion have been released for 77 other projects and Rs 2.8 billion for Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). According to data, these releases have been made against 233 PSDP allocations. The total size of the PSDP for the year 2012-13 is Rs 360 billion, including Rs 100 billion foreign aid which is managed by Economic Affairs Division and Rs 27 billion special programmes, release of which are made by Cabinet Division and Finance Division. According to break up details, total cost of 347 infrastructure projects has been estimated at Rs 232.3 billion, out of which Rs 211.1 billion have been earmarked in the 2012-13 budget that include Rs 85.6 billion as foreign aid. Likewise, the total cost of social sector projects is Rs 554.4 billion, of which Rs 135.8 billion have been allocated in the current PSDP with foreign aid of Rs 8.4 billion. The cost of other projects has been estimated at Rs 41.8 billion out of which Rs 3 billion have been earmarked in the PSDP 2012-13, while Rs 10 billion have been earmarked for ERRA in the current development programme. The Planning Commission of Pakistan has been following a proper mechanism for the release of funds. The commission releases 20 percent of funds in first quarter (July-September), 20 percent in the second quarter (October-December), 25 percent in third quarter (January-March) and 35 per cent in the fourth quarter (April-June).
