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Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Punjab govt presents Rs5.3trn ‘tax-free' budget
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Monday presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the assembly session. A week after the federal government announced its budget, the provincial government proposed its Rs5.335 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Out of the total budget outlay, Rs2.706 trillion has been allocated for non-development expenditure, including pensions and salaries. 'The non-development expenditure has increased by 6%,' he said. The provincial government has budgeted Rs590 billion under current capital expenditure. As the provincial minister presented the budget, the opposition lawmakers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) protested. He started the budget speech by mentioning the measures taken by the incumbent provincial government. 'I would like to congratulate the political and military leadership for safeguarding national interests during the recent tensions with India,' the minister said. 'We have completed 6,104 projects during the ongoing fiscal year,' he informed. He shared that the government is establishing the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore for Rs72 billion. Record development budget The provincial government allocated Rs1.24 trillion for development in FY26, an increase of 47% as compared to Rs842 billion allocated in FY25. 'This budget marks a strategic shift in Punjab's history,' said the minister. 'This is the highest ever development budget in the province's history.' For the province of Punjab, federal transfers have been estimated at Rs 4,062.2 billion under FDP for the upcoming fiscal year. Meanwhile, the provincial government has set a target of Rs828.1 billion for its own-source revenues in FY26. Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) targeted to collect Rs340 billion in FY26. Provincial surplus The Punjab government has allocated Rs740 billion under the estimated provincial surplus (EPS) for FY26, amid an understanding reached between the federal government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 'It is pertinent to mention that the achievement of this provincial surplus is directly related to FBR's revenue target,' said the minister. The provincial government has allocated Rs494 billion for the social sector, which accounts for 40% of the development budget. Salaries and pensions Provincial government employees to receive a 10% salary increase. Meanwhile, the provincial government increased pensions by 5% for FY26. Education The provincial government has allocated Rs148 billion for education under the development package for FY26. Whereas, Rs661 billion was budgeted for the non-development expenditure of the education sector. Laptop scheme Under the Chief Minister's Laptop Scheme, Rs15.1 billion has been earmarked to distribute laptops to 112,000 students in FY26. The provincial government has budgeted Rs40 billion for the upliftment of government schools. Moreover, the Merit Scholarship Programme will receive Rs15 billion to provide educational opportunities to deserving students. For special education, the province has allocated Rs5 billion for FY26. Moreover, Rs25 billion has been earmarked for higher education in FY26. Health Health budget for the province has been raised to Rs630.5 billion for FY26. 'Similar to last fiscal, the health sector remains pivotal for the provincial government,' the minister said. The province has allocated Rs181 billion under the development budget for the health sector, an increase of 131% as compared to the last fiscal. Whereas, Rs450 billion has been earmarked under non-development expenditure for FY26. The minister shared that the provincial government has earmarked Rs109 billion for the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore. He shared that Rs79.5 billion has been allocated for free medicines disbursement in government hospitals. Budget FY2024-25: Punjab govt presents Rs5.4 trillion 'tax-free' budget The Punjab government has allocated Rs411.1 billion for local bodies. Whereas, Rs150 billion and Rs20 billion will be provided as special grants for waste management and municipal corporations. Social security package The provincial government has proposed to allocate Rs70 billion under a social security package. Agriculture The provincial government has allocated Rs123 billion for the development expenditure of the agriculture, livestock and irrigation sector. Whereas, Rs56.2 billion has been budgeted for non-development expenditure. The Punjab government has allocated Rs335.5 billion for the construction sector. Earlier, Business Recorder, citing its sources, informed that the upcoming provincial budget will be tax-free, and no new taxes will be introduced. Estimated at over Rs1,200 billion, the new fiscal plan is expected to feature a record-breaking development outlay, emphasising health, education, infrastructure, and tourism. As per the report, the new budget will include over 850 development schemes, and the key projects include the expansion of Nawaz Sharif Medical City in Lahore, where new hospitals will be constructed under a public-private partnership model. The government also plans to roll out extensive sanitation and clean drinking water initiatives throughout Punjab. Infrastructure development remains a central priority.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Punjab govt presents Rs5.3tn ‘tax-free' budget
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Monday presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the assembly session. A week after the federal government announced its budget, the provincial government proposed its Rs5.335 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As the provincial minister presented the budget, the opposition lawmakers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) protested. He started the budget speech by mentioning the measures taken by the incumbent provincial government. 'I would like to congratulate the political and military leadership for safeguarding national interests during the recent tensions with India,' the minister said. 'We have completed 6,104 projects during the ongoing fiscal year,' he informed. He shared that the government is establishing the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at a cost of Rs72 billion. The provincial government allocated Rs1.24 trillion for development in FY26, an increase of 47% as compared to Rs842 billion allocated in FY25. 'This budget marks a strategic shift in Punjab's history,' said the minister. Budget FY2024-25: Punjab govt presents Rs5.4 trillion 'tax-free' budget Earlier, Business Recorder, citing its sources, informed that the upcoming provincial budget will be tax-free, and no new taxes will be introduced. Estimated at over Rs1,200 billion, the new fiscal plan is expected to feature a record-breaking development outlay, emphasising health, education, infrastructure, and tourism. As per the report, the new budget will include over 850 development schemes, and the key projects include the expansion of Nawaz Sharif Medical City in Lahore, where new hospitals will be constructed under a public-private partnership model. The government also plans to roll out extensive sanitation and clean drinking water initiatives throughout Punjab. Infrastructure development remains a central priority. More to follow
Gulf Today
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's former PM Imran to lead another 'anti-government movement' from jail
While there is not even a slight possibility of release of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan before Eid Al Adha, he has announced to lead another anti-government movement from the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where he is lodged. 'Imran Khan has announced a protest movement against the government. The centre of the movement would not be Islamabad, but the entire country. Imran Khan has given me the responsibility to make a plan for the protest movement. I will present the plan in my next meeting with him very soon. We will plan after consulting lawyers and party leaders,' PTI senator Ali Zafar Shah told reporters after meeting the ex-premier. Meanwhile, rumours regarding Imran Khan's possible release before Eid have been firmly rejected by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and government officials and even the PTI doesn't expect it to happen. NAB officials said that there is currently no case before any court that is ripe for Imran Khan's release. 'No notice has been issued to NAB in any matter that could result in his bail or release before Eid. As per legal norms, the prosecution must be heard before any relief is granted to a convicted individual, which has not happened so far.' Activists of PTI take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad. File / AFP Government officials have also dismissed the speculation, categorically stating that no deal has been offered to Imran Khan, and there is no behind-the-scenes arrangement underway to facilitate his release. 'There is no understanding, no negotiation, and no offer on the table,' a senior government official said. Imran Khan's legal counsel Naeem Haider Panjotha also told reporters that the reports of Imran Khan's imminent release were false. 'There is neither any deal nor any leniency being offered. The rumours are baseless.' Senator Zafar Shah quoted the party founder as telling him that 'we have been put against the wall; we have no option but to take to the streets. We will protest across the country, which I will lead from jail.' Imran, he pointed out, expressed the resolve to give all instructions related to the protest movement from jail. The senator said the upcoming movement would be unlike any seen before. He emphasised that this time, the movement must succeed, acknowledging that while obstacles were inevitable, solutions must be found to overcome them. He said the strategy of the protest movement would be ready in a few days, after the next meeting and that the party founder himself would assign responsibilities with regards to the proposed drive.
Business Recorder
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI protests outside ECP office
PESHAWAR: The workers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Peshawar against the stealing of the mandate of the party on February 8, 2024. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare, Syed Qasim Ali Shah led the protest. During his speech at the protest, the provincial minister stated that alleged rigging was carried out in Form 47 on February 8, stealing PTI's public mandate. He demanded that the injustice be rectified and the rightful mandate of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf be restored. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Pakistani journalists protest after Senate passes bill allowing control over social media content
Pakistan's upper house of parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that critics argue is designed to suppress freedom of speech. The bill, which was passed by the lower house of parliament last Thursday, grants the government extensive powers to impose heavy fines and incarcerate social media users for spreading disinformation. Journalists rallied in the country's major cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore, vowing to resist government efforts aimed at suppressing freedom of speech. The approval by the Senate removes the last obstacle in the bill's path. It will now be sent to the President Asif Ali Zardari, who is likely to sign it quickly. Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, authorities would create an agency with the power to order the immediate blocking of content deemed "unlawful and offensive' from social media, such as content critical of judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies. Those failing to comply could face temporary or permanent bans. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense, punishable by three years in prison and a fine of Rs2 million ($7,150). The latest development comes days after National Assembly passed it despite protests by the opposition. On Tuesday, Shibli Faraz, an opposition leader in the Senate, opposed the bill, saying it was being passed in a haste and without consulting all the stake-holders. Zulfiqar Bukhari, a spokesman for former prime minister Imran Khan, said their Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party, or PTI, would challenge the legislation in the court. "The bill has been passed from the both houses of the parliament to silence the freedom of expression on the pretext of combating fake news, and no democracy-lover can support it,' he said in a statement. Pakistan's media has faced growing censorship in recent years, but the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.
