PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s decision to allocate Rs351.1 million for hospitality, entertainment and related official expenses in its latest budget has sparked renewed scrutiny as the province continues to cite severe financial constraints.
The allocation comes at a time when the provincial administration has repeatedly highlighted budgetary pressures, delayed fiscal transfers and limited financial resources as major challenges affecting governance and public service delivery.
According to budget documents, the government has earmarked Rs351.1 million for hospitality and entertainment expenditures across various departments during the current fiscal year.
The documents also show that the previous year’s allocation of Rs280 million under the same head was exceeded, with actual spending reaching Rs473.6 million, raising questions about spending controls and budget discipline.
Among the largest allocations this year, the Finance Department has been allotted Rs100.5 million for hospitality and entertainment expenses, while Rs60 million has been set aside for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The Chief Minister’s House Secretariat has been allocated Rs18 million, and the Health Department has received Rs4.06 million for hospitality-related expenses.
The allocations have drawn criticism from observers who argue that discretionary spending should be curtailed while the province faces financial challenges and competing demands for funding in sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.
