Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nowsherwani has unveiled Balochistan’s budget for the fiscal year, totaling Rs. 930 billion. The budget emphasizes significant investments in education, health, and development projects. Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, and members from both the treasury and opposition were in attendance.
The session, chaired by Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, also included a prayer for the late Awami National Party (ANP) leader, Nawab Abdul Zahir Kasi.
The budget allocates Rs. 609 billion for non-development expenditures and Rs. 219 billion for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The PSDP covers 2,704 new development schemes and the continuation of 3,976 ongoing projects.
In contrast to previous years, there was no opposition protest against the budget. “Let me review the budget and then we will decide,” stated Mir Younas Aziz Zehri, the opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly.
The education sector sees a significant boost, with its budget increasing from Rs. 96 billion to Rs. 146.9 billion. To tackle the issue of out-of-school children, 9,394 teachers will be appointed from grade 15, and 3,000 new vacancies have been created. Additionally, basic facilities will be provided to 3,000 schools across the province.
Health care also benefits from a substantial increase, with Rs. 67 billion allocated—a 30 percent rise. The budget includes Rs. 5.5 billion for the Balochistan Health Card initiative, Rs. 582 million for cancer medication, and Rs. 2.8 billion for new machinery in government-run hospitals.
Climate change and environmental sustainability are also prioritized, with Rs. 909 million allocated to climate change initiatives. Rs. 10 billion is reserved for the Green Initiative Balochistan, which includes the solarization of tube wells. Furthermore, Rs. 1 billion is allocated for the Green Bus Service in Quetta and Turbat.
Law and order funding sees a significant increase, with Rs. 84 billion allocated, representing a 53 percent rise.
To address the cost of living and support government employees, salaries for grades 1 to 16 will be increased by 25 percent, while those in grades 17 and above will receive a 20 percent raise. Pensions will be increased by 15 percent.
The budget was generally well-received, with no protests from the opposition benches. However, Asad Baloch, Chief of the Balochistan National Party (Awami), voiced his criticism, although he stood alone in his dissent.
This comprehensive budget aims to meet the critical needs of Balochistan’s citizens, focusing on improving infrastructure, education, health care, and environmental sustainability
