Syed Muhammad Qaseem:
QUETTA: The Government of Balochistan is poised to present its eagerly awaited budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 today. With a strong emphasis on education and health, the budget aims to uplift key sectors and improve the lives of citizens across the province.
Key Highlights:
Salary Increase: The budget proposes a significant 25% salary increase for government employees, recognizing their dedication and service.
Education Boost: Non-development education spending will surge from 79 billion PKR to 107 billion PKR, marking a remarkable 35% increase. This investment underscores the government’s commitment to quality education and skill development.
Healthcare Investment: The health sector will witness a similar boost, with funding rising from 51 billion PKR to 67 billion PKR (a 30% increase). The establishment of a state-of-the-art hospital in Naseerabad and the expansion of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Quetta are among the flagship projects.
Transportation Initiatives: The People’s Bus Service in Turbat will be expanded, and additional green buses will ply the streets of Quetta, enhancing public transportation options.
Federal Support: The federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) allocation for Balochistan will increase by a substantial 61%, reaching 58 billion PKR.
Revenue Projections: The budget anticipates 647 billion PKR from federal receipts and an 8% growth in provincial receipts (from 111 billion PKR to 121 billion PKR).
Fiscal Management: Despite ambitious spending, the budget aims for prudent fiscal management. The deficit of 701 billion PKR will be covered through better financial planning, reducing non-development outlay from 437 billion PKR to 430 billion PKR.
Mir Shoaib Nowsherwani, the Balochistan Finance Minister, will present the budget in the provincial assembly. Governor Balochistan, Sheikh Jaffar Mandokhail, has convened the session of the assembly for this purpose.
