Balochistan Announces Surplus Budget for FY 2025-26

The Balochistan government presented its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Tuesday, showcasing a surplus and a focus on relief measures for the populace. The total budget allocation amounts to Rs1028 billion, featuring a surplus of Rs42 billion.

Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, while addressing the provincial assembly, stated that Rs642 billion has been earmarked for non-development expenditures. Furthermore, a sum of Rs249.5 billion is proposed for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2025-26.

Nosherwani highlighted that the estimated total expenditure for the upcoming financial year is Rs986 billion, with the current operating expenditure reduced from Rs43 billion to Rs33 billion.

The government aims to enhance provincial income, targeting Rs226 billion in revenue generation for the next fiscal year.

In addition to the provincial development program, development grants include Rs66.5 billion for federally funded projects and Rs38 billion in Foreign Projects Assistance (FPA) for the financial year 2025-26.

Under the development budget, Rs249.5 billion will be allocated to approximately 3633 ongoing schemes and 2550 new development projects. An allocation of Rs18 billion has been designated for the installation of safe city projects across eight cities in the upcoming financial year 2025-26.

An allocation of Rs4.5 billion has been suggested as capital expenditure for procuring essential equipment and machinery, which is Rs6 billion less than the previous year. Additionally, Rs113 billion has been assigned as grants for various departments.

In his budget address, the minister mentioned that the provincial government had successfully utilized the entire development budget for the current fiscal year.

Priorities for the provincial government include education, healthcare, climate change, and law and order.

The minister also announced the creation of 4188 contract-based positions and 1958 regular jobs for the fiscal year 2025-26, aiming to provide employment opportunities for the province’s youth.

To improve the financial standing of employees, the government has approved a 10 percent increase in the salaries for employees in grades 1 through 22.

Furthermore, a 7 percent increase in pensions for retired employees was announced.

The minister emphasized that the budget formulation involved extensive consultations with all political parties, with a focus on public welfare, development priorities, and financial sustainability.

Shoaib Nosherwani stated that the budget is rooted in the province’s actual requirements, economic capabilities, and prevailing realities, with the goal of ensuring balanced development in both urban and rural regions.

The Communication and Works Department has been allocated a development budget of Rs55.19 billion, marking a 19 percent increase from the current year, to facilitate road construction and infrastructure upgrades.

The irrigation sector has been assigned a Rs42.78 billion development budget to stimulate agriculture and manage water resources, with significant investments planned for dams, canals, and water storage systems.

Nosherwani said that Rs24.84 billion has been allocated for the advancement of the education sector, specifically secondary and higher education, to enhance educational infrastructure, recruit educators, and introduce contemporary amenities.

An allocation of Rs16.15 billion has been made in terms of the development budget for upgrading hospitals, hiring medical personnel, and acquiring advanced healthcare equipment in the upcoming financial year.

For the Science and Information Technology department, an amount of Rs12.66 billion has been earmarked for the financial year. As part of the “Digital Balochistan” initiative, the government intends to promote e-governance, internet accessibility, and technology-driven services.

The finance minister noted that Rs17.16 billion has been designated to ensure the provision of potable water for the residents of the province, alongside enhancement of sewerage and wastewater management systems across the province.

For the purpose of reinforcing municipal bodies and addressing local concerns effectively, Shoaib announced an allocation of Rs12.91 billion for the Local Government department in the new budget.

During the next financial year 2025-26, an amount of Rs10.17 billion has been set aside for agriculture to facilitate farmers through provision of seed, fertilizer, and modern agricultural implements.

It was stated that Rs7.84 billion has been earmarked for the energy department, with a focus on energy distribution and deployment of renewable energy initiatives to mitigate load-shedding and improve energy reliability.

In the next financial year 2025-26, a total of Rs567.6 million has been allocated for mines and mineral department to develop Balochistan’s rich mineral resources through modern and efficient methods.

An estimated amount of Rs154 million has been designated for the empowerment of women in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic participation.