Balochistan Budget Process Gains Bipartisan Support, Focus on Development

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti hosted a dinner meeting with Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, cabinet members, parliamentary secretaries, and lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches to discuss the upcoming provincial budget for the next fiscal year. The meeting, held in Quetta on June 16, 2026, aimed to build consensus on key political and financial matters.

The Chief Minister stated that the budget is being prepared in accordance with public aspirations and development needs, with a strong emphasis on employment generation, improved public services, education, healthcare, drinking water, agriculture, infrastructure, and human resource development. He pledged a balanced, people-friendly budget that adheres to strict fiscal discipline and transparency.

Governor Mandokhail praised the provincial coalition government for taking effective measures for public welfare and economic stability, noting that the government is set to present its third consecutive budget in an atmosphere of political harmony. He stressed the importance of meaningful consultation between the government and opposition for strengthening democratic institutions and expressed hope the budget would create new opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Opposition Leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri welcomed the consensus-driven budget process as a positive democratic tradition. He acknowledged the government's decision to keep the opposition engaged in budget preparations for the third consecutive year. While reaffirming that criticism remains the opposition's democratic right, Zehri emphasized the need for all political stakeholders to work collectively to address Balochistan's challenges and pledged support for measures aimed at the province's development and prosperity.