The Balochistan government on Tuesday presented a surplus budget worth Rs1,028 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26, focusing heavily on youth employment, education, healthcare, law and order, and development of rural areas.

Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani highlighted the key achievements and fiscal priorities during his budget speech, emphasizing that Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has placed public welfare at the centre of governance.

“We’ve made sincere efforts for development and have implemented all decisions with transparency. The Balochistan government is moving in the right direction,” said Nosherwani. "We have taken steps to improve the standard of living of the people, which are being seen in practice."

Budget highlights

Total Budget: Rs1,028 billion
Surplus: Rs42 billion
Development Budget (PSDP): Rs249.50 billion
Non-Development Budget: Rs642 billion
Provincial Revenue Target: Rs226 billion

Key allocations by sector

Health

Total: Rs87.4 billion
- Rs16.4 billion for development
- Rs71 billion for non-development

Health remains one of the government’s top priorities.

Education

Total School Education: Rs120 billion
- Rs28 billion for primary education
- Rs19.8 billion for development
- Rs101 billion for non-development
Higher Education and Colleges Department: Rs29 billion
- Rs24.1 billion for non-development
- Rs5 billion for development
- Rs8 billion allocated for universities
- Rs3 billion allocated for Balochistan by HEC
- Rs500 million allocated for college transport
Recruitments:
- 1,170 contract and 67 regular posts created

Rs1 billion was saved in the process of providing free textbooks in schools.

Law and Order

Total Allocation: Rs86.7 billion
- Rs83.7 billion for non-development
- Rs3 billion for development
Rs51.33 billion allocated for Balochistan Police and Constabulary

Only law enforcement agencies will be allowed to purchase new vehicles under the austerity plan

Infrastructure & public services

Communication & Works Department: Over Rs84 billion
- Rs66.8 billion development, Rs17.48 billion non-development
Food: Rs26.9 million allocated for development, Rs1.19 billion for non-development
Local govt and rural areas: Rs12.9 billion earmarked for development affairs, Rs42 billion for non-development
Drinking Water Supply: Rs28 billion
Irrigation: Over Rs47 billion
Transport: Over Rs1 billion
Safe City Project: Rs18 billion allocated for 8 cities

People’s Train Service: To be launched in Quetta in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, with upgrades to three existing and two new stations

Agriculture & energy

Agriculture: Rs26.9 billion (development), over Rs1 billion (non-development)
- Rs52 billion solar tube well project being completed
Energy Department: Over Rs8 billion
Climate Change: Rs500 million allocated to combat climate change

Other departmental allocations

Board of Revenue: Rs10 billion
Mines & Minerals: Rs3.62 billion
Fisheries: Rs6 billion
IT Department: Rs15 billion
Social Welfare: Rs5.94 billion
Women Development: Rs714 million
Labour Department: Rs3.66 billion
Tourism, Culture & Archaeology: Rs1.45 billion
Sports & Youth Affairs: Rs3.94 billion
Forests & Wildlife: Rs4.32 billion
Excise & Anti-Narcotics: Rs2.80 billion
Population Welfare: Rs2.46 billion
Livestock: Rs1.26 billion
Industries: Over Rs10.29 billion

Fiscal responsibility & reforms

6,000 unnecessary posts eliminated to curb non-development expenditure
4,188 temporary and 1,958 regular posts being created in various sectors
No new government vehicles will be purchased, except for law enforcement needs
Emphasis placed on rural development, transparency, and reducing non-productive spending

Finance Minister Nosherwani stated that 100% of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) was utilised during the current fiscal year, with visible improvements on the ground. The Balochistan government vows to continue its development journey with sincerity, transparency, and a focus on public welfare and institutional reforms.

“Allah has blessed Balochistan with immense natural resources. It’s our duty to utilise them effectively to uplift the people of this province,” Nosherwani concluded.