Some four months ago, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had proposed a total layout of Rs. 2457.832 million under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2016-17.
However, Government of Pakistan allocated less than a billion, Rs. 938.02 million to be precise, from Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2016-17 for the new and ongoing IT and telecom projects.
Out of the sum of Rs. 938.02 million, 90 million is assigned for 3 new and fresh projects that will be started in 2016-17. However, rest of the amount will be spent on various on-going projects.
It has also been learnt that through foreign aid, Rs. 171 million will be availed along with the sum of PSDP’s Rs. 938 million. Therefore the total allocation for IT and telecom projects would be around whooping Rs 1.10 billion.
Another important thing needs your attention and it is that the total fund for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2016-17 is Rs. 800 billion, out of which only 938.02 million is apportioned to IT and telecom projects.
Minister for planning, development and reform of the country, Ahsan Iqbal tweeted:
“Rs 800 billion PSDP for 2016-17 higher from Rs 700 billion in 2015-16”
In addition to these PSDP funds, telecom projects for Balochistan and FATA were also announced for 2016-17 worth Rs. 2.43 billion. While Rs. 9.52 billion will be spent on the on-going USF projects during next year. In addition to this, institutes for women have also been provided with computer labs.
It should also be noted that that IT and Telecom ministry comes under Transport and Communication head for which a total of Rs. 260 billion has been allocated. It is quite fathomable that 99% of the funds will go for the construction of the roads.
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