Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has revealed that nearly 80 percent of the province’s annual budget of Rs1,000 billion is consumed by non-development expenditures, leaving limited resources for public welfare and development projects. In a statement shared on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that a major portion of the non-development budget is spent on salaries and pensions of around 250,000 government employees. As a result, only about Rs200 billion remains available for the welfare and development needs of the province’s 13 million people. Sarfraz Bugti said that to correct this long-standing imbalance, the provincial government has taken tough reform measures over the past two years. These include shutting down several obsolete and ineffective government offices that were placing an unnecessary burden on the exchequer. He further disclosed that non-functional departments such as Zakat, Religious Affairs, and Civil Defense were abolished, leading to the elimination of nearly 8,000 unnecessary government posts. The Chief Minister added that strict action against absentee employees has also been taken to improve efficiency and discipline in the public sector. Acknowledging resistance to reforms, Sarfraz Bugti said the process is not yet complete but emphasized that pressure, protests, or blackmail would not deter his government from protecting the rights and interests of the people. “I will not compromise on the interests of the people of Balochistan,” he said, reiterating that the reform agenda will continue under all circumstances to ensure better governance and sustainable development in the province.
CM Bugti highlights budget constraints, vows to continue reforms
Published on: January 22, 2026 6:28 AM