LAHORE, June 13, 2024 – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the assembly session on Thursday.
Following the federal government’s budget announcement, Punjab proposed a Rs5.4 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The opposition protested during the budget presentation, tearing up the budget documents. Shuja-ur-Rehman began his speech by highlighting the measures taken by the current provincial government, declaring it the first tax-free budget under their administration. The total budget outlay is Rs5.446 trillion for FY2024-25.
The province’s development budget is set at Rs842 billion for FY25, a 28.5% increase from Rs655 billion in FY24. The current and service delivery budget has been raised to Rs2.633 trillion, up 27% from Rs2.074 trillion in FY24. Additionally, Rs375 billion has been earmarked for wheat debt retirement.
Significant allocations include:
• Health: Rs539 billion
• Education: Rs669.7 billion
• Infrastructure: Rs374.2 billion
• Local Government: Rs321.7 billion
• Public Safety and Police: Rs220 billion
• Agriculture: Rs117.2 billion
The minimum wage in the province has been proposed at Rs37,000. For government employees, a 25% salary increase for Grade 1 to 16 and a 20% increase for Grade 17 to 22 employees has been proposed, along with a 15% pension increase.
Chief Minister Roshan Gharana Programme A Rs9.5 billion initiative to provide free solar systems to consumers using up to 100 electricity units. Installation charges will also be covered by the government.
Apni Chat Apna Ghar Scheme Rs10 billion allocated to help families secure their own homes.
Kissan Dost Package The largest package in the country’s history, offering Rs75 billion in interest-free loans to 500,000 farmers.
Agri Tube-Well Solarisation Rs9 billion will be spent on solarizing 7,000 tube-wells in the province.
Chief Minister Green Tractor Programme Rs30 billion allocated to provide interest-free loans for farmers to purchase tractors.
District SDGs Programme Rs80 billion dedicated to the Chief Minister District Sustainable Development Goals Programme.
Other Allocations:
• Model Agricultural Malls: Rs1.25 billion
• Livestock Cards: Rs2 billion
• Aquaculture Shrimp Farming: Rs8 billion
• Model Fish Markets: Rs5 billion
• Undergraduate Scholarship Programme: Rs2.50 billion
• CM Skilled Programme: Rs2.97 billion
Infrastructure Development Rs296 billion has been allocated for constructing and repairing 2,380 km of roads. The Planning and Development Board will spend Rs530 billion to complete 3,870 “dead schemes” in the province.
Garment City Development Rs3 billion allocated to promote the textile industry and boost foreign exchange.
Khelta Punjab Scheme Rs7 billion for sports promotion, with an additional Rs6.50 billion for a major sports project.
Laptop Scheme Rs10 billion allocated to resume the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme to encourage IT skills among youth.
Healthcare Initiatives
• Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Lahore: Rs56 billion
• Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha: Rs8.84 billion
• Air Ambulance Service: Rs0.40 billion
• Clinics on Wheels: Rs1 billion for 200 ambulances.
Climate Initiatives Rs10 billion allocated for a SMOG Less and Climate Resilient Punjab programme. Additionally, Rs8 billion has been allocated for the Plant for Pakistan programme to promote tree plantation.
Punjab Socio-Economic Registry Rs9.50 billion allocated for developing a registry to gather social and economic information, aiding future project planning.
Additional Allocations:
• Women Development Department: Rs1.40 billion
• Wildlife and Fisheries: Rs6.40 billion and Rs5.30 billion respectively
• Cancer Hospital in Multan: Rs1 billion
• Asset Transfer to Women in South Punjab: Rs2 billion
• Non-Traditional Schools in South Punjab: Rs4 billion
• Multan Safe City Project: Rs7 billion
• Climate-Friendly Buses in Multan and Bahawalpur: Rs8.60 billion
• Basic Health Facilities: Rs10 billion
• Burewala-Vehari Road: Rs12 billion
• Multan Vehari Road: Rs13 billion
• Muzaffargarh, Alipur, Tranda Muhammad Panah Roads: Rs31.48 billion
• Murree Development Programme: Rs10 billion
• Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority: Rs18 billion
The provincial budget aims to address various sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and climate change while maintaining a tax-free status, ensuring relief and development across Punjab.
