Pak nuclear programme faces 35 pc cut

[ajpirzada]

By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanís nuclear programme is facing severe financial cuts, badly hampering some core classified projects, it is learnt.

A source told The News that several development programmes of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, including some classified ones, have been slowed down and some even halted as the government has imposed an unprecedented squeeze.

The classified side of the PAEC development budget saw a cut of almost 35 per cent while for the open development programmes only 15 per cent of the budget has been released, thus affecting more than 30 projects. The source said that senior nuclear scientists and those holding key positions in the countryís nuclear programme apparatus were extremely upset with the situation and fear that the cut would badly damage the nuclear programme and would tantamount to a quiet unannounced rollback.

The PAEC member administration, however, denied this but conceded that there had been belt-tightening because of the global recession. Major-General Khalid Mushtaq, while talking to this correspondent on phone from his office, said that the global recession had led to the belt-tightening and the emphasis was on the judicious utilisation of the available resources.

He denied any compromise on the countryís nuclear programme and its development. The resource crunch, he said, should not be interpreted in a manner that may show that there was any compromise on the programme.

General Mushtaq said that he did not know the details of the spending as he was on the administration side of the PAEC. But he insisted that any impression of funds stoppage or slowing down of development programmes would not be true.

He said that there could be prioritisation of different development programmes but the funds had not been stopped. ìNo, no there is no such thing,î the general said.

A source also disclosed that the financing system for the nuclear programme had also been changed, and insisted that it had been done to the disadvantage of the nuclear programme. The source explained that a new system called Assignment Account System (AAS) had been introduced despite the opposition of the PAEC and the SPD.

The new system, it is said, would not only expose the classified purchases of the PAEC but would also not allow these strategic organisations to keep their allocated money in their respective bank accounts.

General Mushtaq, however, said that there might be a change in the accounting system but not in the funding resource, which remains the government of Pakistan. When asked to refer this correspondent to an official who could share the details, he said he had enough information to respond to The News queries. Spending on the countryís nuclear programme remains confidential, he added.

According to the source, while the government has allocated tens of billions of rupees for projects like the Green Karachi and the Benazir Income Support Programme, the countryís nuclear programmeís core classified development projects are still not being provided the badly needed amount, which is not more than Rs 10 billion.

The strategic organisations of the country should be the top most priority of the government but still they got less than 0.5 per cent of the GDP. Those running the nuclear programme and the strategic organisations are extremely upset and do not know why this is being done. Some key officials of the PAEC, the sources confirmed, had even resigned in protest over this strange attitude of the government.

Such an attitude, it is said, had demoralised and de-motivated those handling the core classified projects. The issues of massive slashing of funds and the change in the financial system were also discussed at the highest level but to no avail.

ìThis is like creating hurdles in the progress and development of the countryís nuclear programme,î an extremely concerned source said, adding that no government had even done what was being done by the present government.

But a Finance Ministry official said that because of serious financial crunch, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had recently approved a summary to scale down budgetary allocations for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) by over Rs 118 billion for the ongoing fiscal year 2008-09.

After getting approval from the prime minister to reduce allocation for the federal share of the PSDP to around Rs 219 billion from its initial allocated amount of Rs 371 billion, the Planning Commission (PC) barred the ministries/divisions on March 24, 2009 from undertaking work on new schemes in the remaining months of the ongoing fiscal year.

Earlier, the government had excluded Rs 34 billion for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from development expenditure and put it under the current expenditures.

Under the IMFís prescriptions, the government is taking steps to curtail fiscal deficit within the agreed limit of 4.2 per cent of the GDP or Rs 562 billion and mainly compromising development expenditures. But not many knew that this situation is also affecting the nuclear programme of the country.

Interestingly, while the nuclear programme as well as the development projects under the PSDP is facing financial slash, the government has terribly failed to control current expenditures as only the prime minister has cut down its expenditures by around 38 per cent. The federal ministries and divisions are not following his footsteps.

The Planning Commission, in its March 24th circular, had asked the ministries and divisions that if there were very necessary spending requirements, then the ministries/divisions should approach the PC for getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC).Pak nuclear programme faces 35 pc cut

 

[Patriot]

The current economic condition will hurt other sectors as well..

 

[PeacefulIndian]

Under the IMFís prescriptions, the government is taking steps to curtail fiscal deficit within the agreed limit of 4.2 per cent of the GDP or Rs 562 billion and mainly compromising development expenditures. But not many knew that this situation is also affecting the nuclear programme of the country.

As far as I know, IMF restrictions take the first cut on defense budget. Any defense expenses that are not of immediate importance take the cut. Probably nuclear program is one of them.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

I dont wna comment on this but funds for our strategik programes are pre defined and confidential.
“We will eat grass… “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Referring to financing the Pakistani Nuclear program.

 

[linkinpark]

I dont wna comment on this but funds for our strategik programes are pre defined and confidential.
“We will eat grass… “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Referring to financing the Pakistani Nuclear program.

Well, get ready to do it then.

 

[Muradk]

I dont wna comment on this but funds for our strategik programes are pre defined and confidential.
“We will eat grass… “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Referring to financing the Pakistani Nuclear program.

Good one old memories, I was his ADC the first thing he told me was when I ask for water it should be Jin and Tonic in front of people. While on the platform People will eat grass smart man ,

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

Everybody eats grass-wheat, rice, corn...

 

[Interceptor]

I dont wna comment on this but funds for our strategik programes are pre defined and confidential.
“We will eat grass… “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Referring to financing the Pakistani Nuclear program.

But he used this term in the midst that we use to receive secret billions, hence.

Plus this is a cut for this fiscal year, this will probably be changed in the next budget session in Parliament if the financial constraints allow us.

 

[Spartan King]

All i have to say in this regard is that, thought our country is going through tough times, we should still not neglect our defense budget (nuclear programme comes into that).After Allah and His blessings, It is the one thing thats keeping Pakistan on the world map. I'm not saying that we should let our people die of hunger, but the government instead of asking for aid from everywhere, should have the strength and believe that if the Pakistani people our guided in the right direction, and in the light of Islam, we can over come these difficulties. I think its high time we stopped asking fro money like beggars from the US and other nations, we all should unite and im sure inshAllah we can take our country through this difficult situations. We are a string nation of 160 million, the government should realize the fact, that Pakistan and Pakistani's will only get the respect we deserve once we start standing on our own feet.

Pakistan Zindabad!

 

[graphican]

Present Government, particularly the tip of the leadership pyramid, is so notorious that even Overseas Pakistanis are not ready to contribute at present. Begging from IMF and from the platform of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (such a hilarious name by the way) would not solve our problems but worsen them. Now IMF is trying to be our grand pa and is telling where to cut our budget from.. Yes if we have to eat grass, we must and we would but we would not accept such ban or "belt tightening" on the projects of primal national importance. If somebody has to tighten its belt, it got to be the one who likes to be entertained more and who has increased the entertainment budget by 50Lac (its not a huge amount but it certainly reflects the attitude and priorities). Members of National Assembly eat up billions of rupee every year and Nation gets nothing in return.. Get their salaries and benefits cut by 50% and add 25% tax on the import of Cars, Furniture, luxury house-holds, above 10,000 Rupee Cellfone, Buying and Selling of houses above 25Lac, Stock Exchange, Cosmetics, Jewelery Import and all that. Save every single penny you can but spend every bit of resource to develop and strengthen yourself.

If Indian airplanes did not cross borders this time, this was not because our ecnomy was good or if we had subsidized gasoline prices.. it was fear of repulsion that held them back. This nasty leadership of Pakistan would leave the country in the time of hardship, they own palaces and flats in "Safe Countries", its you, its me, its the people of Pakistan who got to face the challenges and defend our homeland. So use every single mean of protest and push decisions-makers not to betray this Nation.

 

[SBD-3]

Present Government, particularly the tip of the leadership pyramid, is so notorious that even Overseas Pakistanis are not ready to contribute at present. Begging from IMF and from the platform of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (such a hilarious name by the way) would not solve our problems but worsen them. Now IMF is trying to be our grand pa and is telling where to cut our budget from.. Yes if we have to eat grass, we must and we would but we would not accept such ban or "belt tightening" on the projects of primal national importance. If somebody has to tighten its belt, it got to be the one who likes to be entertained more and who has increased the entertainment budget by 50Lac (its not a huge amount but it certainly reflects the attitude and priorities). Members of National Assembly eat up billions of rupee every year and Nation gets nothing in return.. Get their salaries and benefits cut by 50% and add 25% tax on the import of Cars, Furniture, luxury house-holds, above 10,000 Rupee Cellfone, Buying and Selling of houses above 25Lac, Stock Exchange, Cosmetics, Jewelery Import and all that. Save every single penny you can but spend every bit of resource to develop and strengthen yourself.

If Indian airplanes did not cross borders this time, this was not because our ecnomy was good or if we had subsidized gasoline prices.. it was fear of repulsion that held them back. This nasty leadership of Pakistan would leave the country in the time of hardship, they own palaces and flats in "Safe Countries", its you, its me, its the people of Pakistan who got to face the challenges and defend our homeland. So use every single mean of protest and push decisions-makers not to betray this Nation.

I mean here we come . We have selected such leadership havent we?.Expect budget cuts as the long line of ministeries goes on.How can you expect the millitary,beaurocracy and of course the Govt to cut expenses?We like to take deficits leading to loans and IMF but cannot sacrifice a penny of luxury. We treat Govt Property and money as our own.I still see a lot of GoP numbered cars in private use daily and it really embarises me. I even see Long escorts and luxury transports of visitors to Bilawal house and in Karachi.Every one is worried about getting his hands filled with more and more.have we seen any significant effort to work our way out? trust me Lender is not concerned about borrower's integrity,security and **** like this he is only concerned about his money. And with this another good news new IMF lending to go up by further 4 Billion USDs.We wont get any respect any honor.Beggers dont have selfrespect do they?

 

[nightcrawler]

Yep that what I perceived when we applied for IMF help; these bastards just can't afford any strong nuclear arsenal of Pakistan . There still is a Congress sect that precisely believes that Pakistan stats & reports are highly adulterated & what is going behind the screens is totally opposite of what has been reported by Pakistan officials. I agree with this sect!! Our military generals can afford poverty famine disease but can't afford Indian military edge over their country