After a private news channel aired news hinting at a possible delay in the issuance of funds for federal government employees’ salaries and development projects, the Ministry of Finance Saturday categorically rebuked such rumours terming them as “totally baseless and false”.

“It would have been appropriate for the news channel to contact the Finance Division’s spokesperson,” the ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement while lamenting that the relevant forum was not approached on this matter.

The statement stressed that Pakistan remains on track to meet all commitments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, evident by the smooth and successful completion of the Staff Level Agreement (SLA) of the first review.

The official also elaborated on the details of important fiscal highlights relating to funds availability, adding the finance division has already released the Q2 (second fiscal quarter) funds for both current (salary pension and non-ERE) and development expenditures.

Furthermore, the Planning, Development, and Special Initiative (PD&SI) Division has accordingly authorised funds for development expenditure to line ministries.

No change has been made by the Finance Division or Planning Division in the release strategy as wrongly reported by the particular channel, the statement said.

Moreover, the statement underscored that the Finance Division has released all Q2 (second fiscal quarter) funds for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and transfer to beneficiaries is already well underway.

Similarly, all funds committed to subsidising the power sector, in line with Circular Debt Management Plan (CDMP) requirements, have been made available by the division, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, staying true to the tradition, the release of salary to the Christian community before Christmas has been ensured by the Finance Division.

The statement highlighted that the revenue collection by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and NTR collection by other ministries is fully on track.

“These facts clearly establish that the said news item was aired without any evidence and without taking the viewpoint of the government,” it added.