From Yawn - Fiscal health deteriorating sharply, half-year data shows
Pakistan’s fiscal deficit crossed 2.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of this fiscal year – the highest in eight years – despite government’s claims to have put the house in order with greater fiscal discipline and austerity. Almost all the major fiscal indicators – both on expenditure and revenue side – showed deterioration in first half of the current fiscal year when compared to same period of last year.
Total revenue collection dropped to just 6.1pc of GDP in first half of current year compared to 6.6pc of GDP last fiscal. Tax revenue was also down to 5.4pc of GDP this year compared to 5.6pc of last year. The performance of non-tax revenue was no exception that stood at 0.6pc of GDP in first half of CFY compared to 1pc of GDP same period last year. Tax revenue amounted to Rs2.08tr in first half of current year compared to Rs2.03tr, showing a nominal increase of Rs55bn or 2.71pc. Normally, the tax revenue should increase every year at the cumulative rate of inflation and economic growth rate. That means the tax revenue should have automatically increased by at least 11pc (over 4pc GDP plus over 7pc inflation).
The defence expenditure in first six months of current year stood at Rs479.6bn compared to Rs393bn of same period last year, showing a jump of 22pc or Rs87bn. Its share in GDP also inched up to 1.2pc this year against 1.1pc of GDP same period last year. Unfortunately this led to a cut back in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The PSDP spending in first half of this year plummeted to Rs328bn compared to Rs520bn of same period last year, showing a reduction of 37pc or about Rs192bn. This is also evident from the fact that overall development spending and net lending dropped to a paltry 1pc of GDP compared to 1.6pc of GDP of last year.
The paki awaam can soon move from grass to the jernails pet goats droppings
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