Total expenditure for 2007-08 was budgeted at Rs. 1875 billion. According to
revised estimates this figure stood at Rs 2228.9 billion. Two factors had a
significant impact on the budgetary outlook. Firstly oil prices continued to rise at
a greater pace, reaching as high as $ 115 per barrel in May 2008— an increase of
over 116 percent during the fiscal year. Secondly, the high international price of
oil was not passed on to the domestic consumers. Consequently, the oil subsidy is
projected to rise to Rs 175 billion— over shooting the targeted level by Rs 160
billion. Wheat shortage forced the government to import 1.7 million tons of wheat
at all time high prices.
• By end-June 2007 total domestic debt stood at Rs. 2610.2 billion which was
estimated at 30 percent of GDP. The outstanding stock of domestic debt rose by
Rs 409.9 billion and stood at Rs. 3020.1 billion by end-March 2008 or 30.3
percent of GDP. The domestic debt has increased by 15.7 percent by end-March
2008 over end-June 2007.
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