State Minister for Finance and Revenue, Omar Ayub Khan informed the Senate that the total budgetary expenditure in pro-poor sectors was Rs 253.976 billion in 2003-04 and Rs 208.523 billion during 2002-03.
Answering a question by Senator Farhatullah Babar here on Thursday, he said that Rs 63.695 billion was spent in the federal area, in Punjab Rs 99.402 billion, Sindh 46.142 billion, Balochistan' expenditure was Rs 19. 805 billion and NWFP spent Rs 24.932 billion.
To a question by Dr Muhammad Ismail Buledi regarding provincial quota of the commercial attaches presently posted abroad, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan stated that there is no provincial quota for the commercial attaches as they are selected purely on merit.
The Minister said that a strict scrutiny is made on the basis of qualifications, length of service, age and experience.
To a question raised by Senator Sanaullah Baloch, Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said that the private companies have invested a total amount of Rs 2,436.23 million in Gwadar.
Answering a question raised by Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, Omar Ayub Khan said that Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) earned operational profit of Rs 1,826.428 million during the financial year 2001-01, whereas, after taking into account the provision pertaining to previous year, the Bank showed loss of Rs 8482.518 million before tax.
To a question, Omar said that National Development Finance Corporation (NDFC) suffered a loss of Rs 4824.187 million from 1st July 2000 to 31 October 2001.