Ahmed Khan Malik

The Balochistan government has kicked off the process of inviting the proposals from public and private sectors to ensure the budget for the next financial year aligns with the development priorities of the province.

“The Balochistan government is formulating its budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. As part of this process, the government is actively seeking proposals and recommendations from various stakeholders to ensure that the budget aligns with the province's developmental priorities and addresses the needs of its citizens,” Hassan Baloch, Director of Budget Cell, Finance Department, told WealthPK.

He said that the provincial authorities have invited input from government departments, public representatives, business communities, and civil society organisations. “This collaborative approach aims to foster transparency and inclusivity in the budget-making process, ensuring that diverse perspectives contribute to the allocation of resources for sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development,” he said.

Regarding the budget schedule, Baloch said that according to the tentative session calendar released by the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, the proposed budget session is scheduled to be decided by the government, with a potential date in June 2025. “This timeline provides stakeholders with a window to submit their proposals and engage in consultations before the budget is finalised and presented,” he added.

He said that the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 was presented in June 2024, with a total outlay exceeding Rs850 billion. “The budget included significant allocations for development projects and proposed salary increases for government employees.”

Baloch said that stakeholders are encouraged to submit their budget proposals to the Finance Department of Balochistan. “The government has emphasised the importance of timely and well-considered submissions to facilitate a comprehensive review and incorporation of viable suggestions into the final budget document,” he said.

The director of Budget Cell said that the proactive solicitation of budget proposals reflects the Balochistan government's commitment to participatory governance and effective resource allocation. “By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the government aims to craft a budget that promotes sustainable development and enhances the welfare of its populace,” he said.

Baloch said that the government focused on addressing the needs of the people in the next budget. He said that infrastructure would be focused particularly as Balochistan has a vast in area with low population and faces infrastructure problems. He said that education and health would also be top priority areas as the province ranks poor in human development index and these sectors need to be uplifted to improve its ranking in the index.

He said that mineral, fisheries and livestock sectors would also be prioritised as the provincial population heavily relies on these sectors for their livelihoods. “Investment incentives would also be included in the budget as the province needs local and foreign investment to promote businesses for economic development and job creation.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk