Summary Major investment plans target jobs, energy reform and institutional expansion
QUETTA (Dunya News) – The Balochistan government has presented a provincial budget worth Rs1,089 billion for the financial year 2026-27 in the provincial assembly in Quetta, outlining major allocations for development schemes, public services and institutional expansion.
The budget was tabled by Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, who highlighted improved fiscal performance, increased utilisation of funds and a broadened development roadmap across multiple sectors.
The minister stated that the current government achieved 115 per cent utilisation of the previous fiscal year’s allocated budget, reflecting accelerated execution of development programmes. He added that 2,966 ongoing and new development schemes are expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year, indicating a significant push in project delivery across the province.
Development
For the upcoming fiscal year, total expenditure has been estimated at Rs1,089 billion, while the total revenue for the current financial year stood at Rs886 billion. The non-development budget has been set at Rs797 billion, whereas the overall provincial development budget has been fixed at Rs206 billion.
Within the development portfolio, Rs106 billion has been allocated for new schemes, while Rs100 billion has been earmarked for ongoing projects. Additional support includes Rs45 billion in federal development grants and Rs40 billion under foreign project assistance, reflecting continued reliance on external funding for large-scale initiatives.
The finance minister stated that the provincial budget remains in surplus and efforts are underway to further improve internal revenue generation. Provincial income is targeted to rise to Rs170 billion in the coming period. He also noted that construction of dams in various districts continues with federal cooperation to improve water management and irrigation capacity.
The government has established the Bolan Insurance Company Limited under a public-private partnership model for the first time, aimed at insuring government assets, accidents, natural disasters, healthcare and other public projects. In the energy and agriculture sector, Rs3.8 billion has been allocated for the solarisation of tube wells to ensure cheaper and sustainable electricity supply.
A significant Rs10 billion has been earmarked for the establishment of the Bank of Balochistan, while Rs3 billion has been allocated for the Balochistan Aviation Company. Another Rs3 billion has been set aside for the master planning of divisional headquarters, indicating a structured urban development approach across key cities.
For mineral resource development and attracting investment opportunities, Rs490 million has been allocated, while Rs85 million has been reserved for the promotion of culture and archaeological heritage in the province.
Local government has been assigned Rs8.5 million for development and Rs41.4 billion for non-development expenditure, while communication and works has received Rs27 billion for development and Rs20 billion for non-development allocations.
For law and order, Rs2.8 billion has been earmarked under non-development expenditure. The Board of Revenue has been allocated Rs2.8 billion for development and Rs8.2 billion for non-development spending. The transport sector has been granted Rs1.5 billion for development and Rs1.29 billion for non-development expenditure, completing the sector-wise distribution framework outlined in the budget.
Job creation
The budget includes the creation of 5,000 new jobs in the fiscal year 2026-27. Of these, 3,000 positions will be in school education, 500 in the health department, 1,000 in newly established districts and 500 across various other departments, reflecting a targeted employment strategy for youth.
Health and education
In the health sector, Rs6 billion has been allocated for development projects, while Rs90 billion has been reserved under non-development expenditure excluding assets. For school education, Rs12 billion has been allocated for development and Rs115 billion for non-development spending. The colleges sector has been assigned Rs2.3 billion for development and Rs28.7 billion for non-development expenditure.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector has received Rs4.4 billion for development and Rs19.2 billion for non-development needs, while the commodity management department has been allocated Rs9 million for development and Rs5.08 billion for non-development spending.
