Balochistan presents Rs1028bn budget for FY 2025-26

QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Tuesday unveiled a budget of Rs1,028 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, with the health and education departments getting a major share.

Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani  is presenting the budget, which according to the government has prioritized addressing key challenges such as transformative development, public welfare and climate change, healthcare and education.

The Balochistan government has proposed to allocate Rs249 billion for development projects, while Rs642 billion has been allocated for non-developmental expenses, operational expenses, salaries and essential services.

Health

The Balochistan government has proposed to allocate Rs16.4 billion for development projects of the health department and Rs71 billion for non-developmental expenses. Rs4.5 billion has been allocated to provide accessible medical facilities to residents under the Balochistan Health Card Program.

Increase in salaries, pensions

The provincial government has proposed a 10 percent increase in the salaries of provincial employees from grade 1 to 22. The finance minister said that pensions of retired employees will see a 7 percent increase, and Rs1 billion has been allocated in the Balochistan Pension Fund to ensure long-term financial stability of retirees.

The Balochistan government has also proposed to introduce a 20 percent disparity reduction allowance for eligible provincial employees from Grade 1 to 16.

Education

Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said in his budget speech that Rs28 billion has been proposed for the education department, of which Rs19.8 billion has been allocated for the development of schools and Rs101 billion for non-developmental expenses.

The college sector will benefit from Rs24 billion for non-developmental expenses and Rs5 billion for development initiatives.

Mir Shoaib Noshirwani said that 1170 contract and 67 regular teaching posts will be created to strengthen the education system.

Agriculture, which is crucial to the rural economy of Balochistan, has been proposed to be given Rs10 billion for development projects and Rs16.77 billion for non-developmental expenditure.

To ensure food security, the Food Department has been allocated Rs26.9 million for development works and Rs1.19 billion for non-development activities.

Additionally, Rs18 billion will fund Safe City projects in eight cities, which will strengthen security infrastructure. To address environmental concerns, Rs500 million has been allocated to combat climate change, reflecting the government’s focus on sustainability.