PESHAWAR (HRNW)- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is set to present its budget for the new fiscal year today, with a projected deficit of more than Rs 50 billion. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will personally present the budget in the provincial assembly.
According to assembly rules, only elected members can participate in assembly proceedings and present the budget. Since Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam is not an elected member, the responsibility of presenting the budget has been assigned to the Chief Minister.
According to official estimates, the total size of the provincial budget has been set at more than Rs 2.17 trillion. No new taxes have been proposed; however, adjustments in existing tax rates are expected.
Provincial government sources said that the development program for the next fiscal year has been allocated more than Rs 519 billion, with Rs 235 billion to be financed from the province’s own resources. More than Rs 150 billion will be spent on development projects supported by international donor organizations.
The development budget for the merged districts has been proposed at Rs 27 billion, while Rs 52 billion has been allocated for the Accelerated Development Program. In addition, a total of Rs 55 billion has been recommended for local governments.
The budget is also expected to include a 7 percent increase in salaries and pensions for government employees. Sources further indicate that ad hoc relief allowances granted in 2022 and 2025 may be merged into basic pay.
The province is expected to receive approximately Rs 1.443 trillion from the federal divisible pool, while more than Rs 105 billion is anticipated from net hydel profit. Revenue generated from provincial resources is estimated at Rs 180 billion.
Among the key proposals under consideration are increased allocations for the Sehat Card program, Rs 50 billion for youth employment initiatives, and the introduction of a loan scheme for purchasing electric three-wheelers to promote green transportation and economic opportunities.
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