PkMAP Rejects Balochistan Budget, Calls It Manipulative and Against Public Interest

Quetta: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) has strongly rejected the Balochistan government’s budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, describing it as a manipulated financial plan that undermines public interests and misuses provincial resources.

In a statement issued from the party’s provincial secretariat, PkMAP said that despite being presented as a surplus budget, the financial plan was based on what it termed “accounting manipulation” and would further deepen underdevelopment in the province.

The party criticized the reduction in development spending, arguing that it would hinder economic growth and deprive citizens of essential services. It also rejected the budget presented by what it called “imposed and non-representative lawmakers.”

Raising concerns over the budget figures, the party stated that the total budget size had been announced at Rs1.089 trillion, including Rs797 billion in non-development expenditures and Rs206 billion in development spending. According to the statement, there is an unexplained difference of Rs86 billion between the total budget and the combined development and non-development allocations.

PkMAP further questioned the reported budget surplus of Rs45 billion, claiming that no details had been provided regarding its intended use. The party also alleged that Rs131 billion in projected revenue had been mentioned without any explanation of how the funds would be spent.

The statement noted that the province’s development project backlog, commonly referred to as the “throw-forward,” has exceeded Rs9 trillion. It argued that insufficient funding for ongoing projects has delayed their completion and increased costs, ultimately placing a greater burden on public finances.

The party also criticized the allocation of only a small portion of the development budget to productive sectors, claiming that such policies would increase the province’s dependence on the federal government.

Addressing social sectors, PkMAP said education and healthcare had once again been neglected in the development budget. It alleged that salaries for education and health employees, which are generally categorized under non-development expenditures, had been presented in a way that exaggerated development spending.

The statement highlighted concerns over water scarcity and the absence of major water storage projects despite the province receiving significant seasonal floodwater. It warned that declining groundwater levels are forcing residents in several districts to leave their native areas.

On law and order, the party criticized increasing security expenditures, arguing that despite a substantial rise in the public security budget over the years, the security situation in the province has continued to deteriorate.

PkMAP also objected to the allocation of Rs40 billion under the Balochistan Special Development Initiative (BSDI), claiming that no detailed breakdown had been provided. The party described the allocation as unconstitutional and unlawful and called for greater transparency in public spending.

Concluding its statement, the party maintained that any alleged irregularities in the budget amount to serious financial mismanagement. It warned that citizens retain the constitutional and legal right to challenge the budget in court if they believe it violates budgetary rules and legal requirements.