ISLAMABAD: Negating the government’s claim of adopting austerity in its affairs, the annual expenses of the Presidency and Prime Minister’s Office have been increased by 9.18 and 17 per cent, respectively, in the budget 2025-26.

According to the budget announced by Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb, the President House will receive Rs70.8 million more in the next fiscal year compared to the fiscal year 2024-25.

Likewise, the Prime Minister’s Office will get 17 per cent more funds (equivalent to Rs124 million) compared to the amount incurred for the current fiscal year.

It has been observed that the budget of the two offices has been increasing with every passing year.

President House

An amount of Rs933 million has been earmarked for the President House against Rs855 million allocated in the current fiscal year - an increase of almost 9pc.

The budget documents stated that Rs669 million had been allocated for employees-related expenses, Rs25 million for employees’ retirement benefits, Rs102 million for operating expenses, Rs7.5 million for grants and Rs11.7 million for repair and maintenance.

Prime Minister Secretariat

A sum of Rs857 million has been earmarked for the PM Office against Rs733 million set aside for it in the current fiscal year, showing a 17pc increase in total expenditure for the next fiscal year.

Under the head of employees-related expenses, Rs560 million have been earmarked, including salaries and allowances, against Rs478 million revised estimates of the year 2024-25. An amount of Rs256 million have been earmarked for operating expenses against Rs215 million given for the current fiscal year.

For employees’ retirement benefits, Rs10 million have been allocated while Rs9.7 million have been earmarked for grants, subsidies and write-off loans. Moreover, Rs20 million have been set aside for repair and maintenance.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025