Punjab proposes Rs750 billion education budget for FY 2026-27
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
LAHORE – The Punjab government has proposed an allocation of Rs750 billion for the education sector in the fiscal year 2026-27, reaffirming its commitment to improving educational standards, infrastructure development, and access to modern learning facilities. The official details unveiled that the proposed education budget includes Rs63.30 billion for development expenditures and Rs686.80 billion for non-development spending. The allocation accounts for more than 15 percent of the total provincial budget. Authorities said the funds will be used to upgrade educational infrastructure, promote modern skills, expand digital facilities, and improve access to quality education across the province. Under key initiatives, the CM Punjab Laptop Program has been launched at a cost of Rs27 billion to provide 110,000 modern laptops to students. So far, 42,000 laptops have already been distributed during FY 2025-26. The Honhaar Scholarship Program has been allocated Rs15 billion, benefiting 108,000 students. Meanwhile, under the School Meal Program, nutritious milk is being provided to 1.12 million students across 13 districts of Punjab at a cost of Rs7 billion, aimed at addressing child malnutrition. An allocation of Rs4 billion has been proposed for the program in the next fiscal year. Officials said Rs40 billion was allocated in FY 2025-26 for initiatives including missing facilities in schools, rehabilitation of dangerous buildings, and improvement of infrastructure under various programmes. A province-wide mapping of school facilities is also being carried out using modern technology. In Lahore, Pakistan’s first Autism School was established at a cost of Rs670 million. The government now plans to establish Autism Schools in every division of Punjab at a cost of Rs4.50 billion, with Rs1.90 billion allocated in the upcoming budget for this initiative. In the higher education sector, Rs6.90 billion has been proposed for the establishment of 244 IT labs in colleges, which