Balochistan unveils Rs1,028 billion budget for FY 2025-26 

Quetta (Web Desk): Finance Minister of Balochistan, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, unveiled the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs1,028 billion.

During the budget speech at the Balochistan Assembly, he detailed that under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Balochistan is projected to receive Rs743 billion from the federal government.

This sum includes the province’s share of divisible pool taxes as well as direct transfers associated with natural resources, particularly natural gas. An additional Rs70 billion in federal assistance will supplement this amount.

Earlier, a meeting of Balochistan Cabinet held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, presided over by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

During the meeting, the cabinet gave formal approval to the upcoming fiscal year’s financial plan. 
The ministers unanimously endorsed the budget, describing it as responsive to the province’s population needs, developmental aspirations, and ongoing reforms.

Addressing the cabinet, CM Bugti remarked that despite financial constraints, the government had managed to prepare a budget that strikes a balance between current demands and future growth.

He emphasized the emphasis placed on public welfare, developmental initiatives, and structural changes across departments. A presentation during the session clarified that the actual budgetary size for 2025-26 is Rs1.028 trillion.

The chief minister highlighted the successful release of 98 percent of development funds during the previous year as a significant milestone, attributing this success to the coordinated effort of government departments, officials, and the finance team.

According to him, skill development remains a critical priority for the provincial administration.

He also shared that a major solar energy project designed to power agricultural tube wells is progressing steadily, and the final installment of federal funding for this initiative is expected shortly.

Under this Rs60 billion initiative, funds are being disbursed directly to farmers through the State Bank of Pakistan, which the chief minister described as a clear illustration of transparency in governance.

On the issue of education, Bugti acknowledged persistent challenges but highlighted recent progress. 
He noted that the provincial government has resolved complications surrounding the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Scholarship program and has successfully reopened 3,200 schools that had been previously shut down.

Turning to healthcare, he disclosed that a major reform is underway, involving the integration of 150 Basic Health Units with a telemedicine platform, a transition expected to be completed by the end of the current month.

In the realm of financial sustainability, the chief minister commended the efforts of senior officials, particularly Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, for implementing critical pension reforms that aim to stabilize long-term fiscal management.

Bugti also touched on improvements planned for the judicial system, pointing out that the prosecution department has received increased attention in this year’s budget.

He further announced the provincial government's intention to establish Rescue 1122 services in every district by next year, aiming to enhance emergency response capabilities across Balochistan.

Concluding his remarks, CM Bugti underscored that the newly unveiled budget places a strong emphasis on both strategic development and livelihood-related projects.

He affirmed that key areas such as irrigation, transportation, education, healthcare, law enforcement, and climate change have been prioritized to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the province.