In the case of the hitherto badly neglected Balochistan, the province's share has increased to 9.09 percent from previous 5.11%. This is a gigantic leap meant to strengthen and empower Balochistan and should have been acknowledged in the same spirit by the elected and non-elected politicians (including Sardars and Nawabs) of Balochistan.
Other provinces too have substantially benefited from the 7th NFC Award that has earmarked seventy percent of the divisible pool to be transferred to the provinces and special areas, which reflects greater financial empowerment of the provinces. As for the figures relevant to PPP government's sincere endeavours in the direction of poverty alleviation and workers' empowerment, Rs 138 billion were allocated till end of FY 2011-12 to BISP. Besides that Rs 70 billion have been budgeted in the current financial year under the same head. And out of Bait-ul-Maal, more than Rs 7 billion were distributed to the poor over the past three years.
And, under Benazir Employees Stock Option Programme, 12 percent shares of 80 state-owned enterprises were transferred to half a million employees, making them shareholders in the respective enterprises.
The government did not remain complacent by taking these actions as it provided Rs 52 billion to flood-affected people under Citizens' Damages Compensation Programme. It is also very encouraging to note these figures which can be aptly described as accomplishments of the PPP-led government.
Exports increased from US $ 19.1 billion in FY 2008-09 to US $ 25.3 billion in FY 2010-11 and are on the vertical rise; foreign exchange reserves rose from a low of $ 7.5 billion in September 2008 to $18.2 billion in June 2011; currently they stand at around $14.4 billion, expatriate workers' remittances grew from US$ 7.8 billion in FY 2008-09 to US $ 13.2 billion in FY 2011-12 and FBR collections increased from around Rs 1,157 billion in FY 2008-09 to Rs 1908 billion in FY 2011-12; estimated at Rs 2,381 billion in FY 2012-13. It must be note that revenue collection just can't increase to any level without the government's success in motivating the business community to contribute properly towards the growth of national economy by way of payment of taxes through a transparent system.