GB unveils over Rs148bn budget with Rs6bn deficit

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Monday presented an over Rs148 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 during a session of the regional assembly, which was chaired by Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate.

Finance Minister Engineer Muhammad Ismail unveiled the budget, which includes a Rs6 billion deficit. Out of the total outlay, Rs88.19 billion were earmarked for non-development expenditures, while Rs37 billion allocated for development projects.

The finance minister further proposed an allocation of Rs20 billion for wheat subsidies and Rs4 billion under the Prime Minister’s programme through the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The non-tax revenue target has been set at Rs7.89 billion. The budget also suggests a 10 percent increase in the salaries of government employees. For education, Rs1.47 billion have been allocated, and the health sector is to receive Rs1.25 billion, including Rs620 million for the Health Endowment Fund. In agriculture Rs350 million have been proposed for livestock and fisheries sectors, Rs90 million have been set aside for tourism, while the information technology sector is to receive Rs100 million. Additionally, the budget proposes increasing the special allowance of Rescue 1122 personnel to 100pc of the basic pay as of 2017. The police ration allowance is also proposed to be increased from Rs1,500 to Rs2,000.

However, the session was marred by a walkout from opposition members, who staged a protest and boycotted the proceedings. Terming the budget “anti-people,” opposition leader Javaid Manwa said, “This budget was not prepared by public representatives. It’s something made by the bureaucracy, not by this puppet government.” The budget proposals will be debated in detail in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 staff continued their protest outside the assembly building during the session, demanding better service conditions and allowance revisions.