# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Some strides" by Dawn Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 15th, 2025:* The editorial examines the *PTI government*'s performance in *Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)* under *Ali Amin Gandapur*, focusing on their *budgeting capabilities* despite challenges in *public service delivery*. While *KP*'s economy has been severely affected by *decades of terrorism*, the *PTI*, which has governed since *2013*, has shown improvement in *fiscal discipline* and *budget presentation*. The *Gandapur administration* has significantly increased the province's *own tax receipts*, particularly *sales tax on services*, while generating the *cash surplus* required under the *IMF programme*. The government has targeted *infrastructure gaps* despite reduced or eliminated transfers from the *federal government*, including *net hydel profits*, *windfall levy* under the *2012 petroleum policy*, and *federal funds* for the *ex-FATA/PATA region*. The budget focuses on *infrastructure development* and *provincial tax income growth* while providing relief to the *urban middle class* on *property transactions* and increasing *employee pay and pensions* without violating the *fiscal stabilization framework*. *Hotel bed tax* has been reduced, and *registration and token taxes* for *environment-friendly vehicles* have been waived. Unlike the *federal government* or *Sindh*, *KP* announced an increased *minimum wage* of *Rs40,000*. The budget shows significant increases in allocations for *health*, *education*, *water*, and other *service delivery schemes*. *Finance Minister Aftab Alam* emphasized that the budget prioritizes *social protection*, *employment generation*, *security*, and *economic development*, calling it a *roadmap for development and prosperity*. However, the editorial notes concerns about *corruption*, *mismanagement* of *development schemes*, *cost and time overruns*, and growing *infrastructure gaps* despite large *public development spending*, highlighting *weakened governance* in *KP*. The editorial concludes that good intentions are insufficient and the *ruling party* must strengthen *administrative capacity* and ensure *good governance* to implement its *development vision* and prevent *fund leakages*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *PTI*'s *KP government* under *Gandapur* has improved *fiscal discipline* and increased *tax receipts* while meeting *IMF targets*, despite *terrorism*'s economic impact. The budget focuses on *infrastructure*, raises *minimum wage* to *Rs40,000*, and boosts *health/education* allocations. However, *corruption*, *mismanagement*, and *governance weaknesses* threaten effective implementation of *development schemes*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Strengthen Administrative Capacity* Improve *bureaucratic efficiency* and *project management* skills through *training programs* and *capacity building*. ## *2. Enhance Governance Systems* Implement *transparent monitoring mechanisms* and *accountability frameworks* for *development projects*. ## *3. Combat Corruption* Establish *anti-corruption units* and *digital payment systems* to reduce *fund leakages* and *mismanagement*. ## *4. Improve Project Management* Adopt *international best practices* for *project planning*, *execution*, and *monitoring* to avoid *cost overruns*. ## *5. Strengthen Revenue Generation* Expand *tax base* and improve *collection efficiency* to reduce dependence on *federal transfers*. ## *6. Public-Private Partnerships* Engage *private sector* in *infrastructure development* to leverage *expertise* and *resources*. ## *7. Digital Governance* Implement *e-governance systems* for *transparent* and *efficient* service delivery. ## *8. Performance-Based Budgeting* Link *budget allocations* to *performance indicators* and *measurable outcomes*. ## *9. Citizen Engagement* Establish *feedback mechanisms* and *participatory budgeting* to ensure *community involvement*. ## *10. Regular Auditing* Conduct *independent audits* and *public disclosure* of *development project* progress and *expenditure*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *PTI* has ruled *KP* since *2013*. - *KP*'s economy battered by *decades of terrorism*. - Increased *minimum wage* to *Rs40,000*. - Significant increase in *sales tax on services* collection. - *Cash surplus* generated under *IMF programme*. - Reduced/eliminated *federal transfers* including *net hydel profits*. - *Hotel bed tax* has been cut. - *Registration and token taxes* waived for *environment-friendly vehicles*. - Marked increase in *health*, *education*, and *water* allocations. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *KP*'s *GDP* growth rate was *4.2%* in *2024* (*Provincial Economic Survey*, 2024). - *Federal minimum wage* is *Rs32,000* nationally (*Ministry of Labour*, 2025). - *KP* contributes *8.2%* to *Pakistan*'s total *GDP* (*PBS*, 2024). - *Terrorism* cost *KP* over *$126 billion* since *2001* (*KP Government*, 2023). - *KP*'s *tax-to-GDP ratio* improved to *2.1%* in *2024* (*Finance Department KP*, 2024). - *Development spending* increased by *15%* in *2024-25* (*KP Budget*, 2025). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *Since when has PTI been ruling KP?* A. 2011 B. 2012 *C. 2013* D. 2014 ### 2. *What is the new minimum wage announced by KP?* A. Rs35,000 B. Rs38,000 *C. Rs40,000* D. Rs42,000 ### 3. *Who is the current Chief Minister of KP?* A. Pervez Khattak *B. Ali Amin Gandapur* C. Mahmood Khan D. Aftab Alam ### 4. *What tax has been significantly increased in KP?* A. Income tax *B. Sales tax on services* C. Property tax D. Vehicle tax ### 5. *What has been the main challenge to KP's economy according to the article?* A. Natural disasters *B. Decades of terrorism* C. Political instability D. Federal neglect # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Strides* (پیش قدمی) – Significant progress or advancement 2. *Battered* (تباہ شدہ) – Severely damaged or worn down 3. *Fiscal* (مالی) – Related to government finances and taxation 4. *Receipts* (آمدنی) – Money received, especially by government 5. *Surplus* (اضافی) – Excess amount over what is needed 6. *Hydel* (پن بجلی) – Hydroelectric power generation 7. *Windfall* (غیر متوقع فائدہ) – Unexpected financial gain 8. *Levy* (ٹیکس) – Tax or fee imposed by government 9. *Allocations* (تخصیص) – Distribution of resources or funds 10. *Overruns* (اضافی لاگت) – Exceeding planned costs or time 11. *Leakages* (رسائی) – Loss of funds through corruption or inefficiency 12. *Administrative* (انتظامی) – Related to management and organization 13. *Capacity* (صلاحیت) – Ability or capability to do something 14. *Implementation* (نفاذ) – Process of putting decisions into effect 15. *Governance* (حکمرانی) – System of managing and controlling 16. *Infrastructure* (بنیادی ڈھانچہ) – Basic facilities and systems 17. *Stabilisation* (استحکام) – Process of making stable 18. *Framework* (ڈھانچہ) – Basic structure or system 19. *Prosperity* (خوشحالی) – State of being successful and wealthy 20. *Roadmap* (نقشہ راہ) – Plan or strategy for achieving goals 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Some strides* *Editorial* *3–4 minutes* THE PTI government in KP is not known for sound public service delivery in a province whose economy has been battered by decades of terrorism. However, the party, which has ruled KP since 2013, has made strides in the art of budgeting and packaging its priorities attractively. Not that everything it claims in its budget documents is implemented, or can be taken at face value, but the province has undoubtedly made significant progress in deepening fiscal discipline over the past couple of years — at least according to the numbers. For example, the Ali Amin Gandapur administration has significantly raised the province's own tax receipts, especially sales tax on services, while producing the cash surplus committed under the IMF programme. It has also targeted infrastructure gaps despite reduced or nil transfers from the centre under net hydel profits, the windfall levy under the 2012 petroleum policy, and federal funds for the ex-Fata/Pata region. In its budget, the province appears to be focusing on infrastructure development and provincial tax income growth while providing some relief to the urban middle class on property transactions and raising the pay and pensions of its employees without breaching the fiscal stabilisation framework. Hotel bed tax has also been cut while registration and token taxes for environment-friendly vehicles have been waived. Unlike the centre or Sindh, KP has announced an increased minimum wage of Rs40,000. There is a marked hike in budgeted allocations for health, education, water and other schemes for better service delivery. Finance Minister Aftab Alam has pointed out that the new budget emphasises social protection, employment generation, security and economic development. "The budget is a roadmap for development and prosperity of the province," he claimed. There is no reason to doubt the government's intentions. But the stories of corruption and mismanagement of development schemes resulting in cost and time overruns, as well as growing infrastructure gaps despite large public development spending tell another story. These narratives may not be wholly based on facts, but they underline weakened governance in KP. The resolve to improve public service delivery is not enough. The ruling party must also strengthen the administrative capacity to implement its development vision and plug the leakages of funds through good governance. Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2025