The Punjab government will now present its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on June 16, slightly delayed from the earlier date of June 13.
Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman explained the delay was to allow more time for preparation and confirmed that “no new tax will be introduced in the budget.”
With an estimated size of over Rs1.2 trillion, the budget is set to include a record development allocation, prioritizing improvements in health, education, infrastructure, and tourism.
Officials report that the finalized draft includes over 850 development schemes, with more than Rs353 billion assigned.
Of this, Rs161 billion will go toward 520 ongoing projects, Rs135 billion toward 333 new ones, and over Rs57 billion is reserved for six major initiatives.
The Punjab Planning and Development Department has distributed funds across key areas: urban development is allocated Rs145 billion, local governance Rs142 billion, the road sector Rs120 billion, and health and population welfare Rs90 billion.
The education department is expected to receive Rs100 billion, agriculture Rs80 billion, and both transport and specialised healthcare Rs70 billion each.
Further proposed allocations include Rs40 billion each for irrigation, public buildings, planning, governance, and IT; Rs30 billion for tourism, a dramatic increase from last year; Rs25 billion for higher education; Rs12 billion for industry and skill development; and Rs10 billion each for fisheries and wildlife.
Sectors like environment (Rs15 billion), sports (Rs7.6 billion), energy (Rs7.5 billion), water and sanitation (Rs6 billion), and price control (Rs5.51 billion) are also covered.
Forestry and livestock will receive Rs5 billion each, while Rs4 billion is designated for human rights, minority affairs, and literacy.
Social welfare, special education, and information and culture are allocated Rs3 billion, Rs2 billion, and Rs5 billion, respectively.
The development budget comprises Rs893 billion from local resources, Rs184 billion from foreign aid, and Rs125 billion earmarked for the chief minister’s special initiatives.
Among notable upcoming projects is the expansion of Nawaz Sharif Medical City in Lahore through a public-private partnership.
Large-scale sanitation and drinking water programs will be launched across the province, and infrastructure projects, including an expanded transport network, will be undertaken in 66 cities.
Notably, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif turned down proposals for new taxes from the Punjab Revenue Authority and Board of Revenue. Instead, the government will estimate existing tax structures for potential adjustments.
The Punjab Assembly will meet on June 16 to present the full budget.