Govt proposes over Rs39bn for higher education, Rs14bn for health

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday unveiled the Federal Budget 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs17,573 billion.

Addressing the budget session of the National Assembly, the finance czar said that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) would be given Rs39.5 billion for 170 projects, adding that this amount would help complete the ongoing projects.

“An allocation of Rs4.8 billion has been made for 31 ongoing schemes in the domain of science and Technology,” he added.

On the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said that special emphasis was being given to the establishment of “Daanish Schools” in less developed areas. He said that 11 new “Daanish schools” will be established including three each in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan, four Balochistan and one in Islamabad. He said Rs9.8 billion would be provided from the PSDP for the establishment of these schools.

He said other projects in the education sector include establishment of Early Childhood Education centers, computer labs and National Institute of Excellence.

The finance czar said these were aimed at ensuring access to education, reduce the dropout rate and improve the standard of education.

“For these efforts, RS18.5 billion have been set aside in the PSDP,” he added.

Rs14.3bn proposed for health spending

Addressing the lower house of parliament, the finance minister said that Rs14.3 billion were set aside for 21 key projects under PSDP 2025-26 in the health sector.

The minister said that Rs4 billion had been earmarked for the establishment of Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre Islamabad and Rs1.7 billion for the Cancer Hospital in Islamabad.

“Rs1 billion have been reserved for the elimination of Hepatitis C and Rs800 million for the prevention and control of diabetics,” he added.

A state of the art stroke intervention centre and extension of critical are and cardiac facilities would be established at PIMS at a cost of Rs900 million, said the minister.

The finance minister said that these projects will help overcome diseases, modernise healthcare infrastructure and ensure preventative care and quality health services to all the citizens.