Balochistan unveils Rs1,028b budget
The Balochistan government unveiled Rs1028 billion surplus budge for the fiscal year 2025-26, outlining ambitious plans to boost education, healthcare, infrastructure, and law and order across the province and envisaging long-term growth, public welfare, and institutional strengthening.
Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani presented the budget in the provincial assembly, chaired by Speaker Abdul khaliq Achakzai. Out of the total outlay, Rs642 billion had been allocated for non-development expenditures and Rs249 billion for development initiatives.
In his budget speech, Finance Minister Nosherwani said that the total expenditures for the next financial year had been estimated at Rs986 billion, with the volume of current operating expenditure dropping from Rs43 billion to Rs33 billion.
The budget proposed Rs42 billion surplus. The provincial government set the target of generating Rs226 billion in revenues, while a development grants of Rs66.5 billion for federally-funded projects, and Rs38 billion as Foreign Projects Assistance (FPA) had been estimated, according to the budget documents.
"The provincial government successfully spent the entire development budget for the current fiscal year," the minister stated. In the next fiscal year, he added, the development budget of Rs 249.5 billion would be spent on about 3,633 ongoing and 2,550 new projects.
Meanwhile, the minister announced a 10% increase in the salaries of the government employees from grade 1 to 22 and 7% increase in the pensions for retired employees. He said that the government will promote e-governance, internet access, and tech-driven services under 'Digital Balochistan' vision.
In the budget, education and health had emerged as top priorities of the government.
The budget allocates Rs101 billion for the secondary education sector under the non-development head, while Rs19 billion for the development activities such as construction of new schools, training of teachers, and improvement in learning environment. For higher education, Rs8 billion would be utilised to improve universities, enhance research capacity, and student facilities.
In the health sector, a total of Rs87.4 billion had been allocated. Rs71 billion would cover non-development expenses, including salaries and operational costs, while Rs16.4 billion will support development of hospitals, primary care facilities, and specialised medical services across the province.
To address the issue of clean drinking water, the government planned to install 1,000 filtration plants in union councils at an estimated cost of Rs3 billion. This initiative would significantly improve public health and hygiene, particularly in underserved areas.
The budget also includes Rs18.5 billion for establishing Safe City projects in Quetta and other major urban centres. These projects aimed at enhancing surveillance, policing, and emergency response systems.
In line with global environmental concerns, a grant of Rs500 million had been allocated to the newly-established Balochistan Climate Change Fund, which would support climate resilience, conservation, and green development initiatives.
Substantial resources had been earmarked for key economic sectors. The agriculture and food sectors would receive over Rs28 billion, including Rs10 billion for development projects and Rs16.77 billion for non-development expenditures.
The food department would receive Rs26.9 billion for development and Rs1.19 billion for non-development expenses. The Local Government and Rural Development Department had been allocated Rs54.9 billion – Rs12.9 billion for development projects and Rs42 billion for non-development spending.
The Communication and Works Department would receive Rs84.28 billion, of which Rs66.8 billion reserved for development schemes and Rs17.48 billion for non-development expenditures. These allocations underscored the government's focus on upgrading infrastructure and public service delivery.
To strengthen the law and order in the province, Rs86.7 billion had been earmarked. Of this, Rs83.7 billion will go to non-development side and Rs3 billion toward development projects. The allocation highlighted the government's continued emphasis on ensuring peace and security.
In a significant public transport initiative, the finance minister announced the launch of the People's Train Service in partnership with the Pakistan Railways. The service would initially operate between Quetta, Sariab, and Kuchlak, offering affordable and reliable travel to commuters.
With the budget the provincial government seeks to lay the foundations for sustainable development, institutional reforms, and improved service delivery. With major allocations in critical sectors, the government aims to enhance quality of life and promote inclusive growth throughout Balochistan.
Nosherwani emphasised that the budget was prepared after thorough consultation with all political parties. "The budget is based on the province's actual needs, economic capacity, and ground realities, aiming to ensure balanced development across both urban and rural areas," he added.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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