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Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
High hopes on shaky ground
Listen to article Punjab's Rs5.35 trillion budget for FY26 boldly prioritises development over austerity, with no new taxes and a record 47% surge in the Annual Development Programme to Rs1.24 trillion. But beneath the ambitious veneer lie formidable execution risks and structural tensions. The budget's core is inclusive development, with a 21% increase in the education spending to Rs812 billion, and a 17% raise in healthcare spending, including Rs72 billion of the total Rs630 million health budget going to the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research. Wages and pensions are also up by 10% and 5%, respectively, and the minimum wage has been set at Rs40,000. Roads and other infrastructure -— always a PML-N priority — will also get significant funding. But while these numbers may suggest a keen desire to invest in the province, funding sources are, at best, unreliable. Much like Sindh, the Punjab budget is dependent on timely transfers from the federal government. Unlike Sindh, the Punjab government is claiming a Rs740 billion surplus, equivalent to almost 14% of the total budget, and well in line with the IMF's expectations. Even if there is a significant revenue shortfall, the projected surplus could easily absorb it. Still, surplus or not, potentially delayed federal transfers and the consistently underwhelming performance of the Punjab Revenue Authority may create unnecessary headaches in the coming fiscal year. The PTI-led opposition has also questioned the opacity of the revenue projection required to post a surplus and highlighted the need for monitoring of the planned expenditure. Other experts have also noted that both agriculture and the environment are underfunded. The budget, as presented, could lay the groundwork for notable long-term growth and social gains, but its reliance on expanding the tax net without shifting any burden onto the poor is not going to inspire confidence in too many people.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Punjab govt presents Rs5.3trn ‘tax-free' budget
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Monday presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the assembly session. A week after the federal government announced its budget, the provincial government proposed its Rs5.335 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Out of the total budget outlay, Rs2.706 trillion has been allocated for non-development expenditure, including pensions and salaries. 'The non-development expenditure has increased by 6%,' he said. The provincial government has budgeted Rs590 billion under current capital expenditure. As the provincial minister presented the budget, the opposition lawmakers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) protested. He started the budget speech by mentioning the measures taken by the incumbent provincial government. 'I would like to congratulate the political and military leadership for safeguarding national interests during the recent tensions with India,' the minister said. 'We have completed 6,104 projects during the ongoing fiscal year,' he informed. He shared that the government is establishing the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore for Rs72 billion. Record development budget The provincial government allocated Rs1.24 trillion for development in FY26, an increase of 47% as compared to Rs842 billion allocated in FY25. 'This budget marks a strategic shift in Punjab's history,' said the minister. 'This is the highest ever development budget in the province's history.' For the province of Punjab, federal transfers have been estimated at Rs 4,062.2 billion under FDP for the upcoming fiscal year. Meanwhile, the provincial government has set a target of Rs828.1 billion for its own-source revenues in FY26. Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) targeted to collect Rs340 billion in FY26. Provincial surplus The Punjab government has allocated Rs740 billion under the estimated provincial surplus (EPS) for FY26, amid an understanding reached between the federal government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 'It is pertinent to mention that the achievement of this provincial surplus is directly related to FBR's revenue target,' said the minister. The provincial government has allocated Rs494 billion for the social sector, which accounts for 40% of the development budget. Salaries and pensions Provincial government employees to receive a 10% salary increase. Meanwhile, the provincial government increased pensions by 5% for FY26. Education The provincial government has allocated Rs148 billion for education under the development package for FY26. Whereas, Rs661 billion was budgeted for the non-development expenditure of the education sector. Laptop scheme Under the Chief Minister's Laptop Scheme, Rs15.1 billion has been earmarked to distribute laptops to 112,000 students in FY26. The provincial government has budgeted Rs40 billion for the upliftment of government schools. Moreover, the Merit Scholarship Programme will receive Rs15 billion to provide educational opportunities to deserving students. For special education, the province has allocated Rs5 billion for FY26. Moreover, Rs25 billion has been earmarked for higher education in FY26. Health Health budget for the province has been raised to Rs630.5 billion for FY26. 'Similar to last fiscal, the health sector remains pivotal for the provincial government,' the minister said. The province has allocated Rs181 billion under the development budget for the health sector, an increase of 131% as compared to the last fiscal. Whereas, Rs450 billion has been earmarked under non-development expenditure for FY26. The minister shared that the provincial government has earmarked Rs109 billion for the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore. He shared that Rs79.5 billion has been allocated for free medicines disbursement in government hospitals. Budget FY2024-25: Punjab govt presents Rs5.4 trillion 'tax-free' budget The Punjab government has allocated Rs411.1 billion for local bodies. Whereas, Rs150 billion and Rs20 billion will be provided as special grants for waste management and municipal corporations. Social security package The provincial government has proposed to allocate Rs70 billion under a social security package. Agriculture The provincial government has allocated Rs123 billion for the development expenditure of the agriculture, livestock and irrigation sector. Whereas, Rs56.2 billion has been budgeted for non-development expenditure. The Punjab government has allocated Rs335.5 billion for the construction sector. Earlier, Business Recorder, citing its sources, informed that the upcoming provincial budget will be tax-free, and no new taxes will be introduced. Estimated at over Rs1,200 billion, the new fiscal plan is expected to feature a record-breaking development outlay, emphasising health, education, infrastructure, and tourism. As per the report, the new budget will include over 850 development schemes, and the key projects include the expansion of Nawaz Sharif Medical City in Lahore, where new hospitals will be constructed under a public-private partnership model. The government also plans to roll out extensive sanitation and clean drinking water initiatives throughout Punjab. Infrastructure development remains a central priority.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Punjab govt presents Rs5.3tn ‘tax-free' budget
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Monday presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the assembly session. A week after the federal government announced its budget, the provincial government proposed its Rs5.335 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As the provincial minister presented the budget, the opposition lawmakers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) protested. He started the budget speech by mentioning the measures taken by the incumbent provincial government. 'I would like to congratulate the political and military leadership for safeguarding national interests during the recent tensions with India,' the minister said. 'We have completed 6,104 projects during the ongoing fiscal year,' he informed. He shared that the government is establishing the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at a cost of Rs72 billion. The provincial government allocated Rs1.24 trillion for development in FY26, an increase of 47% as compared to Rs842 billion allocated in FY25. 'This budget marks a strategic shift in Punjab's history,' said the minister. Budget FY2024-25: Punjab govt presents Rs5.4 trillion 'tax-free' budget Earlier, Business Recorder, citing its sources, informed that the upcoming provincial budget will be tax-free, and no new taxes will be introduced. Estimated at over Rs1,200 billion, the new fiscal plan is expected to feature a record-breaking development outlay, emphasising health, education, infrastructure, and tourism. As per the report, the new budget will include over 850 development schemes, and the key projects include the expansion of Nawaz Sharif Medical City in Lahore, where new hospitals will be constructed under a public-private partnership model. The government also plans to roll out extensive sanitation and clean drinking water initiatives throughout Punjab. Infrastructure development remains a central priority. More to follow
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Fundamental steps taken to improve health sector in Punjab: minister
LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said the Punjab government is taking fundamental steps to improve the health sector and top priority of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is to improve the health sector. While addressing the second surgical conference at Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College Bahria Town as the chief guest, Salman said, 'Efforts are being made to ensure safe treatment and care of patients in hospitals. Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme, Chief Minister's Dialysis Programme and Chief Minister's Special Initiative for Transplant Programme are the flagship programmes of the Punjab government.' He said the Asia's largest Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research is being built in Lahore. A state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institutes of Cardiology are being built in Lahore and Sargodha. The shortage of doctors and nurses in hospitals is being met on priority basis, he assured. Dean Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute Professor Faisal Saud Dar, Principal Professor Nadeem Hafeez Butt, Professor Farooq Saeed Khan, Professor Fariha Farooq, Dr Sabir Ayaz Malik, Professor Muhammad Saleem and Dr Umair Farooq were present. Moreover, Khawaja Salman Rafique, while speaking at a ceremony held in connection with 'International Firefighters Day' said 'Our rescuers are rendering invaluable services to protect the lives and property of the people. We pay tribute to the invaluable sacrifices of the rescuers who sacrificed their lives while protecting the lives and property of the people. Punjab rescuers are making Pakistan proud all over the world.' He said, 'Air Ambulance Service was the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Emergency services are being successfully carried out on the motorway.' He also appreciates the services of Dr Rizwan Naseer. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently approved the purchase of 300 new ambulances. It may be added that the Fire Rescue Service has saved the public from losses worth Rs716 billion in 260,830 fire incidents. 100% implementation of Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 is essential. Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer, while addressing the participants of the ceremony, said that rescuers save the lives of others by putting their own lives in danger. Fire hydrants, alarm systems, exits and stairs must be installed in high-rise buildings. Firefighters are our heroes who go into burning buildings and save lives. Pakistan is the first team in South Asia to be certified by the United Nations Insrag. The removal of encroachments from markets and roads has improved the rescue response, he added. The Punjab Emergency Service has provided rescue services to more than 17.1 million people. The Punjab Emergency Service has responded to 4.4 million road traffic accidents so far. Dr Rizwan Naseer said that the Water Rescue Service rescued 18,612 drowning emergencies and more than 328,000 flood victims. Meanwhile, in a meeting, health minister conducted a detailed review of the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme was taken. CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr Ali Razaq also gave a briefing in this regard. Khawaja Salman Rafique, while expressing his views, said that the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Program is the flagship programme of the Punjab government. More than 3690 innocent children have been performed heart surgeries under the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme so far. Children's heart surgeries are being performed in 6 government and 11 private hospitals in Punjab. Under this unique health programme, free heart surgeries worth billions of rupees have been performed on children so far. Further improvements are being made in the three historic programmes of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme, Chief Minister's Dialysis Programme and Chief Minister's Special Initiative for Transplant Programme. One hundred percent transparency is being ensured in the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
04-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Fundamental steps taken to improve health sector: minister
LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said the Punjab government is taking fundamental steps to improve the health sector and top priority of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is to improve the health sector. While addressing the second surgical conference at Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College Bahria Town as the chief guest, Salman said, 'Efforts are being made to ensure safe treatment and care of patients in hospitals. Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme, Chief Minister's Dialysis Programme and Chief Minister's Special Initiative for Transplant Programme are the flagship programmes of the Punjab government.' He said the Asia's largest Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research is being built in Lahore. A state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institutes of Cardiology are being built in Lahore and Sargodha. The shortage of doctors and nurses in hospitals is being met on priority basis, he assured. Dean Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute Professor Faisal Saud Dar, Principal Professor Nadeem Hafeez Butt, Professor Farooq Saeed Khan, Professor Fariha Farooq, Dr Sabir Ayaz Malik, Professor Muhammad Saleem and Dr Umair Farooq were present. Moreover, Khawaja Salman Rafique, while speaking at a ceremony held in connection with 'International Firefighters Day' said 'Our rescuers are rendering invaluable services to protect the lives and property of the people. We pay tribute to the invaluable sacrifices of the rescuers who sacrificed their lives while protecting the lives and property of the people. Punjab rescuers are making Pakistan proud all over the world.' He said, 'Air Ambulance Service was the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Emergency services are being successfully carried out on the motorway.' He also appreciates the services of Dr Rizwan Naseer. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently approved the purchase of 300 new ambulances. It may be added that the Fire Rescue Service has saved the public from losses worth Rs716 billion in 260,830 fire incidents. 100% implementation of Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 is essential. Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer, while addressing the participants of the ceremony, said that rescuers save the lives of others by putting their own lives in danger. Fire hydrants, alarm systems, exits and stairs must be installed in high-rise buildings. Firefighters are our heroes who go into burning buildings and save lives. Pakistan is the first team in South Asia to be certified by the United Nations Insrag. The removal of encroachments from markets and roads has improved the rescue response, he added. The Punjab Emergency Service has provided rescue services to more than 17.1 million people. The Punjab Emergency Service has responded to 4.4 million road traffic accidents so far. Dr Rizwan Naseer said that the Water Rescue Service rescued 18,612 drowning emergencies and more than 328,000 flood victims. Meanwhile, in a meeting, health minister conducted a detailed review of the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme was taken. CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr Ali Razaq also gave a briefing in this regard. Khawaja Salman Rafique, while expressing his views, said that the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Program is the flagship programme of the Punjab government. More than 3690 innocent children have been performed heart surgeries under the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme so far. Children's heart surgeries are being performed in 6 government and 11 private hospitals in Punjab. Under this unique health programme, free heart surgeries worth billions of rupees have been performed on children so far. Further improvements are being made in the three historic programmes of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme, Chief Minister's Dialysis Programme and Chief Minister's Special Initiative for Transplant Programme. One hundred percent transparency is being ensured in the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
