Balochistan Provincial Government Announces 2025-26 Budget with Emphasis on Human Capital Development and Local Governance

Quetta:The provincial government of Balochistan has announced a budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, with a total allocation of **Rs 1,028 billion**. Of this, **Rs 639 billion** is earmarked for non-developmental expenditures, while **Rs 249.5 billion** is dedicated to provincial development initiatives. The government is shifting its focus from traditional infrastructure projects like cement and steel to prioritizing human capital development.

**Key Highlights of the Budget:**

* **Non-Developmental Budget:** Rs 639 billion
* **Developmental Budget:** Rs 249.5 billion
* **Local Governance Focus:** Rs 80 billion will be directly allocated to districts and union councils, ensuring that the benefits of development reach the grassroots level.
* **Job Creation:** The budget provides for approximately 6,000 new job opportunities for Balochistan’s youth, including both contract and regular positions.
* **Sectoral Allocations:**

* **Education:** Rs 8 billion allocated for universities.
* **Human Capital Development:** Significant investments in educational and employment sectors, with 9,000 teachers recruited and numerous schools activated.
* **Infrastructure Projects:** Rs 4 billion allocated for improving command areas, and additional funds for improving the agriculture sector, livestock markets, and building new checkposts and police stations.

During the post-budget press briefing held at the Sikandar Jamali Auditorium in Quetta, provincial ministers **Mir Zahoor Baledi**, **Mir Shaoib Noshiwani**, and government spokesperson **Shahid Rand** highlighted several aspects of the budget. They emphasized the importance of balanced development across all sectors, including education, local governance, and infrastructure.

### Notable Announcements:

1. **Focus on Human Capital Development:** The provincial government has shifted its development approach to human capital, stating that progress cannot be measured by cement and steel alone. It was also pointed out that 9,000 teachers have been recruited this fiscal year.
2. **Local Government Empowerment:** Rs 42 billion has been allocated for the local government sector to create developmental impacts at the grassroots level.
3. **Private Sector Focus:** The ministers noted that while the government cannot provide employment to everyone, the private sector will play a crucial role in job creation.

**Responses to Opposition:**

* Both the ruling government and opposition are seen as interdependent, with the budget process being collaborative. The opposition is expected to raise concerns during the budget session, and the government has vowed to engage with them constructively.
* The provincial government also acknowledged the challenges it faces in terms of security and law enforcement, and has enacted laws to counter terrorism.

**Challenges and Financial Adjustments:**

* **Discrepancy in Numbers:** The ministers addressed discrepancies in the figures presented, citing ongoing negotiations with the federal government over revenue sharing. They assured that the corrected figures are now accurate.
* **Additional Funding Needs:** In response to questions about the growing costs of some projects, including the **Ghazdam Project** (Rs 12 billion), officials explained that the funds were necessary to provide water to northern areas of Kharan.

### Financial Performance:

* **Revenue Targets:** Revenue targets for the next fiscal year have been set at Rs 48 billion from the **Balochistan Revenue Authority**, Rs 6 billion from the **Balochistan Board of Revenue**, and Rs 3.3 billion from the **Excise and Taxation Department**.
* **Savings:** A savings of Rs 14 billion was achieved this fiscal year through rationalization and right-sizing measures.

**Future Projections:**

* The government’s goal is to enhance the economic landscape by investing in sustainable development projects such as **solar energy** in Chagai, a **fertilizer city**, and **solar grids**.
* Other key projects include improving **transportation infrastructure**, enhancing **agricultural markets**, and creating **industrial estates** in various parts of Balochistan.

**Conclusion:**
The 2025-26 budget reflects the provincial government’s commitment to balanced growth, human development, and local governance. It sets ambitious goals for job creation, infrastructure improvement, and overall economic progress, ensuring that development reaches every corner of the province.