LAHORE:Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman claimed that the provincial budget 2025-26 is not jugglery of the numbers but a reflection of the PMLN's solid commitment to public welfare, prosperity and transparent governance by providing the significant relief to the masses.
Addressing a post-budget press conference along with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, he said on the Chief Minister's instructions for the timely completion of every project, full transparency, and maximum benefit to the public, the total budget amounts to Rs5.335 trillion, with Rs1.240 trillion allocated specifically for development projects.
Likewise, last year, Mujtaba said, a tax-free budget has been presented in the province with an increased development outlay of 23 percent. He said the budget has a historic package for public service and hoped that the budget is expected to set new records in development.
Mujtaba emphasised that the budget was prepared under the direct supervision of CM Maryam Nawaz. He assured that no new taxes have been imposed on the public. 'Measures are under way to expand the tax net through the modernisation of the Punjab Excise and Taxation Dept. Transparency is being enhanced through the implementation of e-governance, e-auctions, and e-tendering to curb corruption,' he added.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb noted that this is the largest development budget in Punjab's history; the CM has introduced an unprecedented development budget, increasing it from Rs832 billion (allocated in the 2024-25 budget) to Rs1.240 trillion. The CM also brought all major development projects under public accountability, setting new standards for good governance, she added.
On transport, she said that rapid progress is being made on the Automated Rapid Transport (ART) and e-bus projects in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.In the education sector, she said, Rs40 billion is being used via school management councils to provide additional classrooms, IT labs and other facilities. Higher education will receive Rs25 billion, the laptop scheme Rs15 billion, scholarships for talented students Rs15 billion, and the school meal programme Rs7 billion, she added. 'In healthcare, Rs181 billion allocated, including Rs14.5 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore, and Rs8 billion for a new modern Children's Hospital in Rawalpindi. Centres of excellence in nursing will be established in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, with an allocation of Rs23 billion,' she stated.
According to her, under social protection, Rs40 billion allocated for a ration card programme, along with prioritised schemes such as Himmat Card, Minority Card and Labour Card to provide immediate relief to vulnerable segments of society.
She highlighted that improving the environment has become a mission for the CM, with Rs795 billion allocated for this purpose. 'Funds were designated for the installation of 25 air quality monitoring stations, climate observatories, and the creation of an environmental protection force.'
In a move to revive the film industry, a Rs7 billion fund was established. For the welfare of journalists, a Rs1 billion Journalist Endowment Fund and Rs400 million for the Journalist Housing Foundation have been allocated, she said, adding that the PHEC will allocate Rs18 billion to universities this year while Rs40 billion earmarked for advanced IT labs in schools.
She mentioned that the School Nutrition Programme will be expanded to eight districts, at an investment of Rs148 billion in health and education. 'Rural Health Centres and Basic Health Units will be transformed into Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics. The first Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is also under-construction in Lahore.