The Punjab Assembly will present its tax-free budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 16, 2026, during the 43rd session, while Balochistan’s assembly will hold its budget session the following day, according to official announcements. Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman is set to deliver Punjab’s budget speech, outlining financial plans including the Punjab Finance Bill 2026 and amendments to tax laws, as reported by Dawn.
Punjab’s Budget Details and Key Allocations
The proposed Punjab budget totals over Rs5.3 trillion, with Rs4.4 trillion allocated under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and Rs1 trillion from provincial revenue. Development projects are expected to receive Rs700 billion, while Rs800 billion is earmarked for the NFC. Salaries and pensions will account for Rs650 billion and Rs505 billion, respectively, aligning with federal salary increases. The Annual Development Programme includes 3,560 projects, with Rs493.25 billion for ongoing initiatives and Rs258.75 billion for new ones, according to Dawn.
New Infrastructure and Social Programs
The budget includes funding for the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan and initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Laptop Programme, Kisan Card, and Livestock Card. It also proposes the establishment of Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology and the Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex in Kasur, as noted in the Dawn report.
Security Measures for Budget Sessions
Comprehensive security arrangements have been finalized for Punjab’s assembly session amid anticipated opposition protests. In Balochistan, the assembly secretariat has prohibited armed security personnel from entering the session venue, as per a Dawn notification.
Significance of the Budgets
The budgets reflect provincial priorities amid economic challenges, with a focus on infrastructure, social welfare, and fiscal management. Analysts note the allocations highlight efforts to balance development needs with financial constraints, though critics may scrutinize the emphasis on large-scale projects versus immediate public services, according to Dawn.
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