KPK cabinet approves Rs 344 billion “tax-free” budget

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet on Monday approved a budget worth Rs 344 billion for the fiscal year 2013-14.

Government employees’ salaries and pensions would be increased by 15 percent and one percent tax would be imposed on the Afghan transit trade.

The cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak approved the budget and finance bill. No new tax has been imposed.

The health and education allocation has been increased by 8 percent and two new projects for Peshawar would be announced.

Further, the names of two projects launched by the last government have also been changed while the laptop scheme has been abolished.

While talking to the media, Chief Minister Pervez Khatak said that the government would prefer to present a tax-free budget.

Provincial Finance Minister Sirajul Haq said that the government would try its best to avoid a “mini budget” and prioritise giving relief to the masses.