The Punjab government is set to present a Rs5.131 trillion budget tomorrow, with total provincial expenditures estimated at Rs3.569 trillion.
According to budget proposals, Rs650 billion has been allocated for salaries and Rs505.8 billion for pensions. Any increase in the salaries of government employees will be implemented in line with the federal government’s decision.
The budget recommends allocating Rs25 billion for social protection programs, Rs150 billion for the Suthra Punjab Programme and Rs580.2 billion for operational expenditures. A further Rs221.9 billion has been proposed for investment in various development and public service programs.
For externally funded projects, an allocation of Rs54 billion has been recommended, while Rs570 billion has been proposed for other development and capital expenditures.
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The health sector is expected to receive a total allocation of Rs680 billion, including an estimated Rs100 billion for the provision of free medicines. For education, the Punjab government is proposing a budget exceeding Rs900 billion.
The budget also includes several initiatives for students, including laptop distribution, electric scooter schemes and bicycle programs. More than Rs20 billion has been proposed for the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, while university grants are estimated at Rs18 billion.
Under welfare initiatives, the government has proposed Rs7 billion for the Parwaz Card programme and an estimated Rs35 billion for the Ramzan relief package. More than Rs80 billion has been earmarked for subsidies.
The proposed budget also includes Rs10 billion for the Kisan Card programme, while Rs3 billion has been allocated for the Himmat Card and Minority Card schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable segments of society.
The budget reflects the provincial government’s focus on education, healthcare, social welfare, youth empowerment and public service delivery in the upcoming fiscal year.
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