LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday unveiled its highest-ever, Rs1,240 billion Annual Development Plan (ADP) for FY2025-26, with the largest share (Rs493.5 billion) dedicated to the social sector. This is followed by allocations of Rs335.5 billion for infrastructure and Rs164.2 billion for the production sector.
According to budget documents, within the social sector allocation of Rs493.5 billion, Rs100 billion has been earmarked for school education; Rs39.5 billion for higher education; Rs5 billion for special education; Rs4 billion for literacy and non-formal education; and Rs7.6 billion for sports and youth affairs.
The health-related allocation includes Rs95 billion for specialised healthcare and medical education and Rs86 billion for primary health and population welfare. Also, Rs6 billion has been set aside for water supply and sanitation; Rs7 billion for social welfare; Rs1.4 billion for women’s development; and Rs142 billion for local government and community development.
The infrastructure sector has received an allocation of Rs335.5 billion, including Rs120 billion for the roads sector, Rs38 billion for irrigation, Rs7.5 billion for the energy sector, Rs25 billion for public buildings, and Rs145 billion for urban development.
In the production sector, the government has allocated Rs164.2 billion. This includes Rs80 billion for agriculture, Rs5 billion each for cooperatives and forestry, Rs10 billion each for wildlife and fisheries, Rs10.5 billion for price control and commodities management, and Rs5 billion for livestock and dairy development. Furthermore, Rs12 billion each has been set aside for industries, commerce and investment, and for skill development and entrepreneurship. The plan also allocates Rs1.2 billion to mines and minerals and Rs18 billion to tourism.
The services sector has been allocated Rs141.6 billion, with Rs35 billion for governance and information technology, Rs20.4 billion for labour and human resource development, Rs85 billion for transport, and Rs1.2 billion for emergency services.
The government has also allocated Rs30.2 billion for special initiatives; Rs15 billion for environment and climate change; Rs5 billion for information and culture; Rs10 billion for archaeology; Rs3 billion for Auqaf and religious affairs; Rs4 billion for human rights and minority affairs; and Rs38 billion for planning and development.