Balochistan Approves Rs 1089 Billion Budget by Majority Vote; CM Rules Out Talks With Those “Who Break the State”

Quetta (News Desk): The Balochistan Assembly has approved a budget exceeding Rs 1089 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27 by a majority vote, during a session chaired by Speaker Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, which began 40 minutes late.

At the start of the session, Fateha was offered for the departed father of MPA Rustom Bugti. Later, Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shuaib Nosherwani presented the demands for grants, which were approved in phases. The opposition did not submit any cut motions on any of the demands.

The Assembly approved Rs 797.80 billion for non-development expenditures through 53 demands for grants, while Rs 291 billion were approved for development spending through 45 demands. In total, the provincial budget of over Rs 1089 billion was passed for the financial year 2026-27.

During the budget session, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti addressed the Assembly, stating that the government is taking serious steps to protect Baloch traditions, peace, and development. He said attempts to undermine local traditions and attacks on important personalities are condemnable.

Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her birth anniversary, he said the budget was presented smoothly in the Assembly and that opposition criticism was taken as guidance. He added that there is no tradition of abusive politics in Balochistan and all democratic institutions must function with mutual respect.

The Chief Minister highlighted progress in the education sector, stating that 15,000 schools are now operational, while 370 previously closed schools were the result of poor political planning. He said 14,000 teachers have been recruited, leading to the enrollment of 720,000 students and a reduction in dropout rates. He also announced the upgradation of more than 1,000 primary and middle schools.

In the health sector, he said over 2,800 medical staff have been recruited, emergency medicine availability has reached 94%, and no polio cases have been reported in the province. He added that telemedicine facilities will be introduced in over 500 Basic Health Units (BHUs).

He further stated that attendance in government offices has increased to 82%, while over 6,000 development projects have been completed in the past two years. According to him, bureaucracy in Balochistan has achieved 100% utilization of development funds, demonstrating improved governance.

The Chief Minister announced that artificial intelligence (AI) will be introduced to ensure transparency in recruitment and examinations. He also said the “People’s Train” service will be launched on August 14, while a fiber optic network will be expanded across the province. Additionally, over 400 union council offices will be constructed, and water filtration plants will be installed in each union council.

On security, he said the government is open to dialogue, but talks cannot be held with those who seek to break the state. He emphasized that doors remain open for those willing to engage within the constitutional framework, stressing that issues in Balochistan must be resolved through political means and good governance rather than violence.

He added that terrorism has severely damaged the province and misled youth into an unjust war. He appealed to parents and society to bring young people back towards the state and positive activities.

The Chief Minister also said that weapons left behind in Afghanistan have reached terrorist groups and are being used against security forces. He paid tribute to martyrs and announced a 10% increase in salaries for personnel of Police, ATF, CTD, and SOD. He also announced a 100% increase in martyr packages and an additional Rs 1 million for civilian martyrs.

Employees of the Balochistan Assembly, Civil Secretariat, and Chief Minister Secretariat will receive one additional month’s salary.

At the conclusion of the session, Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai adjourned the proceedings indefinitely.