Balochistan rolls out Rs1.09tr surplus budget

The overall development expenditure, however, has been budgeted at Rs291.55bn, down from Rs336.58bn originally budgeted and Rs352.60bn revised for the current year. The development spending is aimed at up­­grading infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, modernising governance and accelerating the province’s transition towards digital and green economies. Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani presented the budget, continuing a run of surplus, tax-free budgets for the resource-strapped province. The total budget outlay comprises Rs1.1tr in projected receipts and a Rs30.61bn cash carryover from federally funded projects. Despite efforts to expand local revenues, Balochistan will continue to rely heavily on federal transfers. The province expects to receive Rs800.13bn through its share in the National Finance Commission Award, the divisible pool, straight transfers and other federal receipts. While speaking to the cabinet, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the budget as balanced, realistic and people-friendly, emphasising that despite limited resources, the government had prioritised welfare, sustainable development, job creation and improved basic services. He highlighted health, education, clean drinking water, infrastructure and employment as top priorities in the development programme. I