Punjab Budget 2024-25
The Maryam Nawaz Sharif-led Punjab government, in its inaugural budget, has introduced an ambitious Annual Development Plan (ADP) worth Rs842 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. The budget, presented by Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja, reflects a 28% increase from the previous year’s Rs655 billion allocation. The ADP aims to address critical development priorities across social, infrastructure, production, and services sectors, with a strong focus on ongoing and new initiatives.
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Punjab Budget 2024-25
Historic Rs842 Billion Development Plan Unveiled
The Maryam Nawaz Sharif-led Punjab government, in its inaugural budget, has introduced an ambitious Annual Development Plan (ADP) worth Rs842 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. The budget, presented by Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja, reflects a 28% increase from the previous year’s Rs655 billion allocation. The ADP aims to address critical development priorities across social, infrastructure, production, and services sectors, with a strong focus on ongoing and new initiatives
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Key Budget Highlight
Social Sector: Strengthening Education and Healthcare
The social sector has been allocated Rs280 billion, with Rs45 billion sourced from foreign aid. Education receives Rs65.5 billion, distributed among school education (Rs45 billion), higher education (Rs15 billion), and special/non-formal education (Rs6 billion). A notable inclusion is the CM’s school meal plan, with Rs500 million earmarked for its implementation.
Healthcare allocations stand at Rs128.6 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous year. Of this, Rs86 billion is reserved for specialised healthcare, while Rs42 billion is set aside for primary and secondary healthcare. Other allocations include Rs8 billion for water supply and sanitation, Rs4 billion for social welfare, Rs1.4 billion for women development, and Rs61.57 billion for local government initiatives.
Infrastructure Development: Focus on Roads and Urban Growth
A substantial Rs246.8 billion has been allocated for infrastructure development, with Rs18.51 billion contributed by foreign aid. Significant allocations include Rs84.8 billion for new road schemes, such as the Muzaffargarh-Tarinda Muhammad Panah road (Rs31.48 billion), Multan-Vehari road (Rs13 billion), and Burewala-Vehari road (Rs12 billion).
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Urban development receives Rs40.5 billion, including Rs9.15 billion in foreign aid. Other key allocations include Rs30 billion for the restoration of public buildings and Rs7.5 billion for energy sector improvements. The irrigation department has been allocated Rs25.8 billion, with Rs9.2 billion focused on ongoing water channel improvement projects.
Agriculture and Production Sectors: Empowering Farmers
The production sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and livestock, have been allocated Rs107.85 billion, with Rs13.46 billion sourced from foreign aid. The agriculture sector alone receives Rs64.6 billion, with Rs45.25 billion earmarked for the CM’s Kisan Card package, providing interest-free loans to 500,000 farmers worth Rs75 billion.
Farmers will also benefit from tractors worth Rs30 billion on easy instalments and the conversion of 7,000 tube wells to solar technology at a cost of Rs9 billion. Additional allocations include Rs15.85 billion for on-farm water management and Rs2.65 billion for the agriculture transformation plan. Smaller amounts are set aside for agriculture research (Rs304 million) and education (Rs294.6 million).
The forestry department will receive Rs4 billion, fisheries Rs6.4 billion, wildlife Rs5.3 billion, livestock Rs9 billion, and industries and commerce Rs10.7 billion. Tourism, including projects in Murree, has been allocated Rs6.5 billion.
Services Sector: Governance and Emergency Response
The services sector receives Rs41 billion, including Rs5.9 billion in foreign aid. Key allocations include Rs20.7 billion for governance and IT initiatives, Rs18.5 billion for transport, and Rs1.4 billion for emergency services like Rescue 1122.
Special Initiatives by the Chief Minister
A major feature of the ADP is the Chief Minister’s special initiatives across various sectors. These include:
Agriculture: Rs45 billion for interest-free loans and solar technology adoption.
Urban Development: Rs20 billion for sustainable city planning.
Healthcare: Rs9 billion for primary health services.
Youth Affairs and Sports: Rs4 billion for sports infrastructure.
Energy: Rs4 billion for solar power initiatives.
Conclusion
The Punjab government’s Rs842 billion development budget for 2024-25 reflects a comprehensive and balanced approach to addressing the province’s development needs. With significant investments in social, infrastructure, production, and services sectors, the ADP is poised to drive economic growth, improve public services, and empower citizens across the province
