By Ayesha Saba

The authorities managed to utilise only Rs795 million on 15 projects in Quetta till March 30, 2026, out of the total allocation of Rs3.9 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26. The federal government released Rs1.4 billion for the projects in FY26, according to the Planning Commission documents available with Wealth Pakistan.

The total cost of the 15 projects stands at Rs27.72 billion. An amount of Rs9.30 billion was spent by June 30, 2025, leaving a substantial throw-forward of Rs18.4 billion at the start of FY26.

The dualisation of Quetta Western Bypass (22.7km) remains the largest single project in the portfolio with an approved cost of Rs6.9 billion. The project had an estimated expenditure of Rs4.5 billion up to June 2025, leaving a throw-forward of Rs2.41 billion. An allocation of Rs900 million was made for 2025-26, against which Rs424 million was released and Rs339 million utilised by March 30, 2026.

An allocation of Rs700 million was made in FY26 for the construction of flyovers at various locations of Quetta city to mitigate traffic congestion, yet no releases or utilisation were reported as of March 30, 2026. The project’s total cost stands at Rs3 billion with throw-forward of Rs2.4 billion in FY26 after utilisation of only Rs614 million in FY25.

The feasibility study for dualisation/strengthening of N-65 from Quetta to Dhadar (110 km), costing Rs25 million, had a throw-forward of Rs25 million with an allocation of Rs5 million for 2025-26. But no releases or utilisation have been reported in FY26 so far.

The upgradation and replacement of 100 kW Transmitter at HPT-1 Quetta had total utilisation of Rs146 million by March 30, 2026, against total release of Rs582 million. An amount of Rs799 million was sanctioned for FY26. The project carried a throw-forward of Rs944 million in FY25 as only Rs125 million could be utilised against the total cost of Rs1.1 billion.

The development and extension of Bolan University of Health Sciences, Quetta, has a total cost of Rs1.6 billion. With an estimated expenditure of Rs125 million up to June 2025, the throw-forward stood at Rs1.4 billion at the start of FY26. An allocation of Rs500 million was made for 2025-26, but no amount was utilised.

The expansion of academic facilities at the main campus of the University of Balochistan was approved for Rs1.6 billion. The project had a total expenditure of Rs1.4 billion in FY25, carrying a throw-forward of only Rs200 million into FY26. Out of Rs200 million allocated for the project in FY26, Rs125 million were released and Rs50 million utilised by March 30, 2026.

The Rs900 million project of strengthening facilities at BUITEMS, Takatu Campus, Quetta, had an estimated expenditure of Rs221 million in FY25 with a throw-forward of Rs679 million. An allocation of Rs150 million was made in FY26, with Rs140 million utilised.

The construction of the provincial assembly building, costing Rs6 billion, remains in the feasibility stage with no expenditure reported to date. The entire cost of Rs6 billion is shown as throw-forward. An allocation of Rs250 million was made for 2025-26, but no releases or utilisation have been reported.

The Expo Centre Quetta project, approved in January 2025 for Rs4.8 billion, had an estimated expenditure of Rs1.05 billion in FY25, and a throw-forward of Rs3.79 billion. An allocation of Rs50 million was made for 2025-26, against which Rs18 million were released and Rs16 million utilised.

Several smaller road infrastructure projects show minimal or zero utilisation. The construction and blacktopping of roads and tuff tiles in Quetta, costing Rs450 million, had an allocation of Rs100 million in FY26, with Rs70 million released and utilised.

The construction of roads in Kuchlak and surrounding areas, costing Rs393 million, had an estimated expenditure of Rs294 million in FY25 and a throw-forward of Rs98 million. An allocation of Rs80 million was made in FY26, with no releases or utilisation reported.

The construction of internal roads in Panjpai, Aghargah, Chashma and the surrounding areas, costing Rs357 million, had an estimated expenditure of Rs297 million in FY25. An allocation of Rs61 million was made in FY26, with Rs15 million released and utilised.

The feasibility study for the construction of a metro bus route in Quetta, costing Rs100 million, had an estimated expenditure of Rs50 million in FY25 and a throw-forward of Rs50 million. An amount of Rs50 million was made in FY26, but no utilisation was made.

The construction of additional classrooms in different schools, costing Rs100 million, had an estimated expenditure of Rs98 million in FY25 and a throw-forward of Rs2 million. An allocation of Rs2 million was made in FY26, with no releases or utilisation reported.

Credit: INP-WealthPk