Punjab to unveil Rs5.131tr budget tomorrow

The Punjab government is set to present a Rs5.131 trillion budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Punjab Assembly on 16 June after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the schedule for the budget session, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.

According to budget details, the provincial government will present a budget worth Rs5.131 trillion, with development spending expected to account for around 47 percent after financial concessions provided to the federal government. 

--Development budget--

Punjab's total expenditure is estimated at Rs3.569 trillion. After meeting provincial expenditures, the province is expected to have a development and fiscal space of approximately Rs1.562 trillion available for public investment and financial management.

The provincial government has already extended a financial concession of Rs570 billion to the federal government. Meanwhile, Punjab is expected to receive Rs3.793 trillion from the divisible pool under the National Finance Commission award. 

Provincial revenues are projected to reach Rs1.330 trillion during the next fiscal year.

--Salaries, pensions, minimum wages--

The budget proposes an allocation of Rs650 billion for salaries and Rs505.8 billion for pensions. Officials expect salary increases for government employees to be aligned with the federal government's recent decision, while an increase in the minimum monthly wage for workers is also anticipated.

Recommendations also include Rs580.2 billion for operational expenditures, Rs221.9 billion for programme investments and Rs54 billion for foreign-assisted development projects.

--Suthra Punjab programme--

Under the proposed allocations, Rs800 billion has been earmarked for the Punjab Finance Commission. Social protection programmes are expected to receive Rs25 billion, while the Suthra Punjab Programme is likely to be allocated Rs150 billion. 

--Health budget--

The health sector is expected to receive an overall allocation of Rs680 billion. 

The budget proposes Rs100 billion for the provision of free medicines, while separate allocations are also expected for medicines and treatment support for cancer and stroke patients.

--Education--

Education remains one of the largest sectors in the proposed budget, with an estimated allocation exceeding Rs900 billion. 

The government plans to continue student-focused initiatives, including laptop distribution, electric scooter schemes and bicycle programmes. 

More than Rs20 billion has been proposed for the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, while university grants are estimated at Rs18 billion.

--CM's initiatives--

More than Rs200 billion has been proposed for ongoing initiatives launched by the Chief Minister. 

The Parwaz Card programme has been allocated an estimated Rs7 billion, while the Kisan Card scheme is expected to receive Rs10 billion.

The Himmat Card and Minority Card programmes are likely to receive a combined allocation of Rs3 billion.

--Ramadan package--

In addition, the Ramadan Package is expected to receive Rs35 billion, while more than Rs80 billion has been proposed for various subsidy programmes aimed at providing relief to the public.

--Cabinet approval--

The budget is expected to be formally approved by the provincial cabinet before being presented in the Punjab Assembly, where lawmakers will debate the government's fiscal priorities and spending plans for the upcoming financial year.

The Chief Minister has convened a provincial cabinet meeting on Tuesday to review the budget proposals. 

The cabinet is expected to grant final approval to the budget before it is formally presented in the Punjab Assembly the following day.

--Summary for PA session-- 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the Punjab Finance Department has sent a summary to the Law Department requesting that the provincial assembly session be convened on 16 June. 

The Law Department is now expected to forward a summary to Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan for formal approval of the assembly session.

Reporters: Ali Ramay and Qaiser Khokhar