The government has allocated Rs 750 billion for education, which is 15% higher than last year. In addition to the main education budget, Rs 40 billion has been earmarked for the Maryam Nawaz Sharif Centre of Academic Leadership and STEAM labs, while Rs 6.9 billion will go to IT labs in colleges. The plan also includes scholarships, electric scooties, laptops, and autism schools across all divisions.
In the health sector, Rs 500 billion has been allocated, showing a 10% increase. However, a significant portion is directed toward major projects, including Rs 169 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Medical District and Rs 20 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Institute.
The total development budget stands at Rs 752 billion. Meanwhile, Rs 639 billion has been allocated for government salaries and Rs 500 billion for pensions. Despite high inflation, salaries are set to rise by 7%, while pensions will increase by 3.5%.
Key development initiatives include relief programs for flood victims, the Kisan Card scheme, the Green Tractor Scheme, and the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” housing loan project. The transport sector has received Rs 168 billion for electric buses, Rs 26.6 billion for mass transit systems in Faisalabad and Gujranwala, and Rs 10 billion for regional railways. Law and order has been allocated Rs 252 billion, including funds for police stations in riverine areas and crime scene units in 28 districts.
Officials say Punjab’s own revenue is around Rs 1.2 trillion, meaning the province remains heavily dependent on federal transfers through the NFC Award to finance its budget.
Critics argue that despite large allocations for mega projects, the modest increase in salaries may do little to ease the impact of inflation for ordinary citizens, while the budget largely reflects reliance on federal funding rather than provincial self-sufficiency.
