Balochistan Presents Rs1.09 Trillion Surplus Budget for FY2026-27, Prioritises Development, Education, and Health

The Balochistan government has unveiled a Rs1.09 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, projecting a surplus of Rs45.57 billion for the sixth consecutive year. Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani presented the tax-free budget to the provincial assembly, emphasising fiscal discipline despite limited local revenue generation.

The total budget outlay of Rs1.1 trillion in projected receipts includes a cash carryover of Rs30.61 billion from federally funded projects. Federal transfers remain the backbone of the province's finances, with Balochistan expecting Rs800.13 billion from the National Finance Commission Award, the divisible pool, and other federal receipts. Revenue receipts are budgeted to rise to Rs1.02 trillion, roughly 9% higher than the current year's original estimate of Rs932 billion.

Development spending has been set at Rs291.55 billion, down from Rs336.58 billion originally budgeted and Rs352.60 billion revised in the current fiscal year. The allocation focuses on upgrading infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, modernising governance, and accelerating the transition to digital and green economies. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the budget as "balanced, realistic and people-friendly," highlighting health, education, clean drinking water, infrastructure, and employment as top priorities.

Education receives a substantial allocation of Rs157.29 billion, including Rs2.5 billion to activate 1,200 schools through the Balochistan Education Foundation. The government also plans to construct two additional rooms in 3,000 government schools and expand the network of community schools. To improve digital learning, fibre-optic connectivity will be extended to schools and colleges. The health sector is allocated Rs74 billion, with plans to operationalise 164 non-functional basic health units and establish two new hospitals.

Public order and safety affairs have been allocated Rs108 billion, with Rs500 million set aside for PIFTAC to improve law enforcement effectiveness. A comprehensive Safe City project will be launched in various districts. Social protection spending, however, has been reduced to Rs15.14 billion. Other key initiatives include the development of baryte, lead, and zinc reserves under the BLZ project (Rs700 million allocated), establishment of micro-grid systems in remote areas, construction of 200 kilometres of roads under the integrated infrastructure initiative, and the planned launch of a People's Train Service.