Balochistan Set to Present Over Rs 1 Trillion Budget Amid Questions Over Development Spending

Quetta:The Balochistan government is set to present its fiscal budget for 2025-26 on **Tuesday**, with an expected volume exceeding **Rs 1 trillion**. Key focus areas of the upcoming budget will include **education**, **healthcare**, and **law and order**, according to official sources.

As budget day approaches, attention has turned toward the government’s spending performance in the ongoing fiscal year. Government spokesperson **Shahid Rind** stated that the province has utilized **90% of its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)** allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25 — a first in Balochistan’s history.

> “The remaining 10% of the development budget will also be released before the end of the fiscal year to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects,” said Rind.

He added that the government has emphasized the efficient utilization of funds in critical sectors such as **education, health, public health engineering, fisheries, agriculture, and energy**. Historically, previous administrations were only able to utilize **50% to 60%** of development budgets, with **over 62% of funds often remaining unutilized**, he noted.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister **Mir Sarfraz Bugti**, the government has already spent **Rs 180 billion out of the allocated Rs 200 billion** for development.

### **Skepticism from Analysts and Public**

Despite the government’s claims, senior journalist and analyst **Syed Ali Shah** raised important questions regarding the **impact and transparency** of the claimed 90% budget utilization.

> “Whether 90% or 20% of the budget is spent, the real question is: *What has changed for the common people?* Have large-scale, public-benefit projects been initiated? Has the ground reality improved?”

He criticized the **deteriorating state of Quetta**, describing it as resembling “ruins,” and lamented that many rural areas of Balochistan still live in conditions akin to the Stone Age.

Ali Shah further questioned whether there was transparency in the expenditure and whether the money was used honestly and efficiently to bring about real **socioeconomic transformation** in the province.

### **Experts Question Budget Claims**

Economic experts have also voiced concerns, saying that despite high claims, the provincial government has failed to **launch even a single mega project** during the fiscal year. They pointed out:

* No significant improvements to **national highways**
* A continued decline in the **state of healthcare facilities** in both Quetta and remote areas
* A noticeable **increase in terrorism**, hampering business and economic activity

These experts argue that the government’s claims of efficient budget utilization appear to be **rhetoric rather than reality**.

—

Let me know if you’d like this broken down into a social media thread, infographic format, or included with charts or stats.