Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) budget talks with the federal government have stalled. The party said it was not given the detailed tax and development spending information promised under an agreement.
PPP sources said the government was bound under the agreement to share budget details with the party before finalising its position. They said the party had repeatedly sought a detailed draft of the proposed federal budget.
The sources said the government had not provided details of the proposed old and new taxes. They also said the party believed the government did not want to disclose the full scope of planned tax measures and Public Sector Development Programme allocations.
PPP sources said the party had reservations over possible new taxes and higher rates on existing taxes. They also said the government had not shared complete details of taxes and levies under discussion for the upcoming budget.
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The deadlock also involves development schemes proposed for the Public Sector Development Programme. PPP sources said projects recommended by the party for all four provinces should be included in the PSDP. This should be done under the budget understanding.
The proposed projects from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had not been included in the development plan. They said the omission had added to the party’s concerns over the implementation of the agreement.
PPP sources further added that the party wants full enforcement of its budget agreement with the government before it decides its final position.
