QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Wednesday presented a Rs1.089 trillion surplus budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, outlining major allocations for development projects, public services, and social welfare initiatives.
The budget was presented in the provincial assembly by Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani during a session chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, which began over an hour late.
Total expenditure and budget breakdown
Presenting the financial plan, the finance minister said total expenditures for the next fiscal year have been estimated at Rs1,089 billion.
He said the non-development budget stands at Rs797 billion, while the total development budget has been set at Rs206 billion.
Of the development allocation, Rs106 billion has been earmarked for new schemes, while Rs100 billion has been allocated for ongoing projects.
Federal development grants worth Rs45 billion and foreign project assistance of Rs40 billion have also been included.
Nosherwani said the budget remains in surplus, adding that provincial revenue is expected to improve further, with a target of reaching Rs170 billion.
Major development initiatives
The finance minister highlighted several key initiatives, including ongoing dam construction projects across different districts with federal support.
He announced the establishment of Bolan Insurance Company under a public-private partnership model, which will provide coverage for government assets, natural disasters, health, and other sectors.
The government has also allocated Rs10 billion for the establishment of Bank of Balochistan and Rs3 billion for Balochistan Aviation Company.
Another Rs3 billion has been allocated for divisional headquarters master planning.
Focus on agriculture, energy, and resources
To improve agriculture and provide cheaper energy, Rs3.8 billion has been allocated for solarisation of tube wells.
Rs490 million has been earmarked for promoting mineral resources and investment opportunities, while Rs85 million has been set aside for culture and archaeology.
The energy sector has been allocated Rs5.3 billion in development funds and Rs4.6 billion in non-development expenditure.
5,000 new jobs announced
The government announced the creation of 5,000 new jobs in the upcoming fiscal year.
These include 3,000 positions in school education, 500 in health, 1,000 for new districts, and 500 across various departments.
Education and health prioritised
The finance minister said education, health, and clean water supply remain top priorities in the new budget.
The school education department has been allocated Rs12 billion for development and Rs115 billion for non-development expenses, totalling Rs160 billion.
The college education sector will receive Rs2.3 billion for development and Rs28.7 billion for non-development spending.
For health, Rs6 billion has been allocated for development, while Rs90 billion has been earmarked for non-development expenses.
Tax-free budget and relief measures
Nosherwani announced that the budget is tax-free, with no new taxes introduced.
He said public transport has been exempted from sales tax, while electric vehicles have been granted 100% tax relief.
Sales tax has also been waived on insurance of public assets, and education services have been reduced to zero percent tax.
He added that tax exemptions have been granted for investment in export processing zones.
Social welfare and public support programs
The budget includes Rs1 billion for interest-free microfinance loans under the Chief Minister’s scheme.
An endowment fund of Rs1.3 billion has been allocated for public welfare.
The Balochistan Education Support Fund has been allocated Rs2.8 billion to assist students.
The Balochistan Health Card programme will receive an additional Rs1.5 billion, while Rs54 million has been set aside for the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme.
Salary and pension increase
The finance minister announced a 7% increase in salaries and pensions for provincial government employees.
He said Balochistan is expected to receive Rs771 billion in NFC transfers in the next fiscal year.
