Balochistan Government Plans People-Centric Budget for FY 2025-26; Major Railway and Infrastructure Developments Discussed
QUETTA – An important meeting of the parliamentary committee for the preparation of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget was held on Thursday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sardar Fazal Bggti. The meeting was attended by parliamentary leaders from allied parties of the Balochistan government, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Balochistan Awami Party.
The meeting focused on detailed discussions regarding the preparation of the 2025-26 budget, with the goal of addressing the needs of the people and reflecting the ground realities of the province. The committee members agreed to incorporate the suggestions put forward by the legislators into the upcoming budget.
In his address, Chief Minister Mir Sardar Fazal Bggti emphasized that the budget would be developed in a manner that prioritizes public welfare and addresses the needs of underdeveloped areas. He assured that transparency in developmental projects, effective implementation, and fair distribution of resources would be ensured to guarantee the benefits reach the public.
The Chief Minister also stated that the government would give special attention to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, and law and order to provide better facilities to the people of Balochistan. The allied parties presented their proposals related to the budget, supporting the government’s initiatives and expressing their commitment to full cooperation.
Meanwhile, in another important development, Chief Minister Mir Sardar Fazal Bggti met with Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, to discuss improving railway services in Balochistan, particularly the launch of the Quetta to Kuchlak shuttle train service. The meeting included a detailed briefing on converting the 32-kilometer-long railway track between Saryab Station in Quetta and Kuchlak into a shuttle service.
Railway officials informed the meeting that, under the proposed project, five stations—Saryab, Quetta, Sheikh Manda, Bilioli, and Kuchlak—would be upgraded, with an estimated cost of Rs 283 million. Chief Minister Bggti stated that the Quetta to Kuchlak shuttle train service is not only feasible but will also provide comfortable and efficient travel options for the people of Quetta and surrounding areas. He further added that this project will help alleviate traffic congestion in the provincial capital.
Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, assured that with the support of Pakistan Railways, an international-standard football ground would also be constructed in Quetta to provide better sports facilities for the youth.
Chief Minister Bggti reiterated his commitment to expanding the scope of railways in Balochistan, with the aim of providing modern travel facilities to the public. He also assured that, in collaboration with the federal government, infrastructure projects would be implemented swiftly to benefit the province’s residents.
