Over Rs 3.7 trillion federal budget today

Over Rs 3.7 trillion federal budget will be presented in the National Assembly today with good news for the incumbent and retired government employees as their salaries and pensions are likely to increase.However, 17 percent general sales tax is expected on software, CNG kits and implements.Steps will also be taken to increase job opportunities to achieve economic stability and accelerate the pace of development. Three proposals are under consideration to increase the salaries of government employees.Transportation allowance of the officers of grade 20 and above could be incorporated in their salaries or the interim relief in their salaries could be made part of salaries.According to the third proposal, government employees could be given 15 percent ad hoc relief.The volume of annual development programme in the government sector is Rs 730 billion while Rs 192 billion target is expected under the head of duties. A proposal to cut custom duty on cars to 25 percent is also under consideration which would be implemented on all type of cars.Life saving drugs, chicken feed and fodder are likely to be exempted from sales tax.Subsidy on gas for fertilizer plants would be withdrawn. The budgetary support from foreign resources has been stopped after non-issuance of a letter of comfort from the International Monetary Fund. The government will have to take Rs 856 billion loans from commercial banks.