Balochistan Allocates Rs31 Billion for Education and Coastal Development in FY2026-27 Budget

Balochistan has announced significant budget allocations for higher education and the fisheries sector in its fiscal year 2026-27, underscoring a commitment to human capital development and sustainable coastal growth. Presenting the provincial budget, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani detailed that Rs2.3 billion has been allocated for the development of colleges and technical education, alongside Rs28.7 billion for non-development expenditures in the sector. The minister emphasized that empowering youth through quality education is essential for building a skilled, self-reliant workforce, noting that the non-development allocation for the department has increased from Rs24 billion in FY2025-26 to Rs28 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.

The budget retains an existing Rs8 billion grant for public sector universities and introduces Rs2 billion in performance-based funding tied to key performance indicators (KPIs). Additionally, the government has allocated Rs105.8 million for scholarships, including Rs54 million under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme, and Rs200 million to support NUST University campuses in the province, with a further Rs1 billion grant for operational needs of the Colleges Department. These initiatives build on current fiscal year efforts that provided scholarships and laptops to college and university students.

Alongside education, the provincial government has designated Rs346 million for development projects and Rs2.27 billion for non-development expenditures under the Fisheries and Coastal Development Department. Nosherwani highlighted Balochistan's 771-kilometre coastline as offering immense opportunities in fisheries and coastal tourism, with thousands relying on marine resources for their livelihoods. The government is preparing a comprehensive master plan for the entire coastal belt in line with international standards.

In the current fiscal year, Rs300 million was spent on a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to curb illegal fishing. For FY2026-27, Rs100 million has been allocated for a Digital Fisheries Information Management System and marine resource mapping initiative to improve transparency and sustainability. The budget also includes Rs500 million to establish a shrimp hatchery in Hub District and a new programme to train young fishermen in sustainable livelihood skills.