Despite financial constraints balanced budget presented: Dr. Aisha.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Thursday said despite fiscal constraint and tough condition agreed with International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the last regime, the incumbent coalition government had presented a balance budget and announced measures to protect the vulnerable segments of the society.

Winding up the budget debate for fiscal year 2022-23 in the Senate, the minister said that government had inherited a fragile economy that was on the verge to default, coupled with widening trade and budget deficit, where the foreign exchange reserves were reached to the lowest level.

Besides, she said that rising inflation, increasing petroleum prices and rising circular debt with long hours power outages were the other issues which required immediate attention to address them.

The minister said that the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also slashed Public Sector Development Program that slowed down the infrastructure developmental work in the country.

She said that under prevailing circumstances, the government had presented a balance budget, besides honoring the international commitments for bringing stabilization of national economy.

Besides tough condition agreed with the IMF by the previous regime, she said the incumbent government had announced various measures for economic stabilization, infrastructure development and protection of under-privileged segments of the society to attain inclusive growth.

In order to protect the vulnerable and lower income people earning less then Rs40,000 per month, the government has introduced relief package and provided Rs2,000, besides providing targeted subsidies on other essential food commodities.

Dr. Aisha apprised the Upper House that...