There has been a lot of fuss about the new provincial budget presented in the Punjab Assembly in the recent days. Members of the opposition have criticized it to be a non-friendly budget for the people of Punjab. Despite all the critics, Punjab’s CM, Maryam Nawaz Sharif stood firm over the set objectives and goals in parallel to the given budget and departmental allocations.
Punjab has turned a new page in its governance history with the unveiling of the transformative, tax-free and development-heavy budget under the
visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.Punjab has turned a new page in its governance history with the unveiling of the Punjab Budget 2025-26, a transformative, tax-free and development-heavy budget under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. This is more than just a fiscal document, it’s a reflection of our priorities, values, and unwavering commitment to inclusive progress.
A Budget Built Around People
The Punjab government has presented a record Rs. 5335 billion in the Provincial Consolidated Fund, with a sharp focus on education, health, women empowerment, skill development, social welfare, and infrastructure. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision is to strengthen each sector especially the ones focusing on women empowerment, healthcare, education, and the budget vividly reflects it.
Key Allocations
n Health: Rs. 630.5 billion
n Education: Rs. 811.8 billion
n Agriculture: Rs. 129.8 billion
n Local Govt & Community Development: Rs. 411.1 billion
n Infrastructure Sector: Rs. 335.5 billion
n Law & Order: Rs. 299.3 billion
n Minority Welfare Card: Rs. 3.5 billion
n Information, Culture & Tourism
n Upgradation of Al Hamra Arts Council: Rs. 450 million
n Film Finance Fund: Rs. 5 billion
n Film City and Cinema Development Funds: Rs. 2 billion
n Chair Lift System & Allied Infrastructure Murree: Rs. 613 million
n Improvement of Infrastructure for Tourism: Rs. 5 billion
n Industries, Commerce & Commodities
n Development of Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Faisalabad (FIEDMC): Rs. 1 billion
n Upgradation of Small Industrial Estates under PSIC: Rs. 5 million
n Mian Nawaz Sharif Engineering & Technology University, Kasur: Rs. 200 million
n Garment City: Rs. 948 million
n Construction of Flagship Sahulat Bazar: Rs. 10 billion
n Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department
n Establishment of CMIT Park: Rs. 5 billion
n Asaan Karobar: Rs. 70 billion
n AI and Emerging Technologies for Governance: Rs. 175 million
n Chief Ministed IT Internship Program: Rs. 180 million
n E-libraries: Rs. 600 million
Unprecedented Budget Increases
This budget is not just large in scale, it’s focused and strategic in increasing allocations to the areas that matter most:
n 21.2% increase in Education
n 17% increase in Health
n 44% increase in Environment
n 47.2% increase in Development
n 11% increase in Agriculture
n 41% increase in Forestry & Wildlife
n 41% increase in Medicines
n 28% increase for Local Govt & Community
n 205% increase in Transport
n 226% increase in Housing & Urban Development
n 10% salary increase & 5% pension increase for government employees
Women at the Heart of Progress
As Chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, I see this budget as a turning point for women in Punjab. Every increase in education, healthcare, transport, and community infrastructure is a step toward a safer, more equitable society for women and girls.
This budget isn’t just gender-sensitive, in fact, it’s gender-empowering. It gives us room to expand shelters, upgrade Dar-ul-Amans, invest in skill-building for survivors of violence, and scale programs for working women and single mothers. This budget is a proof of CM’s vision which points towards a stable and more strengthened Punjab than ever before.
Economic Empowerment, Social Inclusion
This budget embraces the values of economic inclusion and social justice. Whether it’s expanding skill development programs for youth and women, or offering financial assistance to minorities, every rupee reflects the government’s “People First” philosophy.
And perhaps most importantly, no new taxes have been introduced. This is a true welfare-based budget that stimulates economic confidence without burdening the public. The aim of the Punjab Government is to empower the people with less burden of taxes which can result in potential contribution to the national economy.
A Blueprint for Progress
The budget is a true depiction of CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision which clearly focuses on the wellbeing of people. None of the previous governments have been able to present such a peoples’ friendly budget. Provincial policymakers have made sure that there is no additional tax imposed on the public. This budget is not just historic but it’s hopeful, human, and heartfelt. It reflects a Punjab that’s ready to rise, that protects its women, educates its youth, heals its sick, and empowers its workers.
I commend CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif for setting a new precedent in compassionate, visionary governance. This is not just the largest budget in Punjab’s history – it’s the most progressive one too. It is indeed a rock-solid step towards a sustainable future for the people of Punjab. We all should, including the opposition parties, accept the budget wholeheartedly and work together as one unit to ensure an effective implementation of the budget across all sectors of the province.
The writer is member (Punjab Assembly). She is a close aide of Maryam Nawaz and tweets at @hinaparvezbutt