Islamabad, June 16, 2025: The Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman today presented the Punjab budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, revealing that the total budget outlay stands at Rs 5,535 billion. The new budget outline strategies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.
Speaking during the budget session, the finance minister highlighted several key initiatives taken under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s leadership. He confirmed that the government would not impose any new taxes this year, reaffirming its commitment to economic relief and social development.
Increase in Salaries
No new taxes will be introduced in the fiscal year 2025-2026. Salaries of government employees have been increased by 10%, and Rs. 70 billion in interest-free loans have been provided to support business and employment. The minister emphasized that the government’s priority remains public service and transparency
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Infrastructure and Governance
Highlighting improvements in governance, the finance minister noted that the current administration has successfully completed 6,104 development projects. Roads and infrastructure development continue across the province, forming part of the Rs. 1,240 billion development budget. The government aims to expand this momentum in the coming months.
Healthcare and Social Welfare
The health sector has been given a significant boost. The non-development health budget has been set at Rs. 450 billion, while Rs. 181 billion has been assigned for development projects in health. The establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Research Institute is allocated Rs. 2.6 billion. Rs. 9 billion for the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic Program, and Rs. 12.6 billion for the Maryam Nawaz Community Health Program is also reserved in the budget.
A new cardiac care facility, Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, is also being built in Lahore. Free dialysis services have so far benefited over 20,000 patients across Punjab. Emergency ambulance services are also being introduced on major motorways.
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Focus on Youth and Education
In a major step to empower youth, the Punjab government will distribute 112,000 laptops to students. An amount of Rs. 4.5 billion has been earmarked for student stipends, while Rs. 15 billion will support merit-based scholarships under the “Honhar Scholarship” scheme.
To improve school facilities, Rs. 5 billion have been reserved, while Rs. 661 billion has been allocated for non-developmental expenses in the education sector. A new model school, Autism School, has alsp been launched in Lahore at a cost of Rs. 670 million.
According to the finance minister, Maryam Nawaz is committed to eliminate poverty in Punjab. “She has not only changed the pace of governance but also raised its standards,” he remarked.
The finance minister concluded that this year’s Punjab budget reflects the needs and hopes of Punjab’s 120 million residents, focusing on transparency, equal distribution of resources, and long-term public benefit.
