The Balochistan government on Wednesday unveiled a Rs. 1.089 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, focusing on education, healthcare, law and order, and employment generation while avoiding the introduction of any new taxes.
Presenting the provincial budget, Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani announced a 7 percent increase in salaries and pensions for government employees. He described the budget as tax-free, stating that no new taxes have been imposed for the upcoming fiscal year.
According to the finance minister, the province has allocated Rs. 157 billion for education and Rs. 74 billion for health services, making them among the top spending priorities in the new budget.
The government has also earmarked Rs. 108 billion for law and order, while Rs. 270 billion has been allocated for general public services. Additionally, Rs. 10 billion has been set aside for the establishment of the Bank of Balochistan.
Federal Grants and Development Spending
The provincial government expects to receive Rs. 30.61 billion in federal grants during the next fiscal year. Non-development expenditures have been estimated at Rs. 798 billion.
To enhance urban security infrastructure, the budget allocates Rs. 5 billion for Phase II of Safe City projects across the province.
Thousands of New Government Jobs Planned
The finance minister announced the creation of 5,000 new jobs for young people under the upcoming budget.
The new vacancies include:
- 3,000 positions in the School Education Department
- 500 positions in the Health Department
- 1,000 positions for newly established districts
- 500 positions in various government departments
The government said these recruitments aim to strengthen public service delivery and create employment opportunities across Balochistan.
Relief Measures for Farmers and Transport Sector
The budget allocates Rs. 1 billion for the Farmers Card Program to support the agricultural sector.
In a move aimed at promoting affordable transportation and clean energy adoption, the provincial government has exempted public transport services from sales tax and granted a 100 percent tax exemption on new electric vehicles.
Education, Health, and Security Remain Key Priorities
Finance Minister Nosherwani said the government has reduced official expenditures and privileges despite challenging economic conditions. He emphasized that education, healthcare, and law and order remain the province’s primary priorities.
He added that the government is moving in the right direction for Balochistan’s development and that its reforms and initiatives are producing practical results beyond policy announcements.
