Balochistan Budget 2024
Quetta, June 22, 2024 – Balochistan’s Finance Minister, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, announced the Balochistan Budget 2024 for the new fiscal year, emphasizing that it has been crafted with public interests at the forefront. Speaking at a post-budget press conference in Quetta, he highlighted significant allocations for the education and health sectors.
The budget for the upcoming fiscal year projects revenues of 955 billion rupees against expenditures of 930 billion rupees, showcasing a balanced financial plan with a 25 billion rupee surplus.
In his address, Nosherwani detailed that the Balochistan Budget 2024 will receive 726 billion rupees from the federal government. This includes 647 billion rupees from the divisible pool, 20.5 billion rupees from straight transfers, 59 billion rupees in development grants, and 20 billion rupees in non-development grants. The province’s own revenue is estimated at 124 billion rupees, comprising 47 billion rupees in tax revenue, 18 billion rupees in non-tax revenue, and 58 billion rupees expected from lease extension bonuses.
The budget allocates 609 billion rupees for non-development expenditures and 321 billion rupees for the development sector. The provincial Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) is set at 219 billion rupees. In addition, Balochistan anticipates 73 billion rupees from federal-funded projects and 28 billion rupees from foreign aid projects.
Nosherwani highlighted that the education sector will see the highest budget increase, with allocations rising by 52% to 146 billion rupees. The budget for law and order has been increased by 53% to 93 billion rupees, while the health sector budget has been boosted by 30% to 57 billion rupees.
The budget also aims to empower local governments, with allocations for municipal institutions increased by 108% from the previous fiscal year. Funds for local governments have been raised from 16 billion rupees to 35 billion rupees.
In response to the challenges posed by climate change, the budget for environmental protection has been increased by 84% to 9 million rupees.
Other sectors, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, labor, industries, urban planning, energy, communication, tourism, and sports, have also seen significant budget increases ranging from 30% to 90%.
“The new budget reflects our commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Balochistan,” Nosherwani stated, emphasizing the government’s focus on improving critical public services and infrastructure.