BUDGET 2026-27: Punjab to unveil ‘Rs5.3tr’ tax-free budget today

LAHORE / QUETTA: Punjab’s tax-free budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented on Tuesday (today) during the 43rd session of the Punjab Assembly, which has been summoned by the governor.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan governor has convened the provincial assembly’s budget session for Wednesday (tomorrow) at 4pm in Quetta.

In Punjab, Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman will deliver the budget speech and table key financial documents and bills. He will present the annual financial statement for the upcoming fiscal year, along with the supplementary budget for the outgoing fiscal year 2025-26.

He will also introduce the Punjab Finance Bill 2026 and present notifications regarding amendments to Sections 5 and 76 of the Punjab Sales Tax on Services Act, 2012. He is also scheduled to present the Fiscal Risk Statement for the coming fiscal year.

Balochistan Assembly to hold budget session tomorrow

According to sources, the total outlay of the Punjab budget is proposed to be over Rs5.3 trillion. Punjab is set to receive around Rs4.4tr under the National Finance Commission award, while provincial revenue collection is estimated at Rs1tr.

The sources said the government had proposed allocating over Rs700 billion for development projects and Rs800bn for the Punjab Finance Commission.

An amount of Rs650bn has been earmarked for salaries and Rs505bn for pension payments. The proposed hike in salaries of Punjab government employees is expected to be in line with raise announced by the Centre. The Annual Development Programme proposes 3,560 development schemes, with Rs493.25bn likely to be allocated for ongoing projects and Rs258.75bn for new ones.

The government has proposed establishing the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, while significant amounts are being allocated for the Chief Minister’s Laptop Programme, Kisan Card, Livestock Card, and Parwaaz Card International Placement Programme.

The budget also proposes the establishment of Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, and Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex in Kasur.

Authorities have finalised comprehensive security arrangements for the Punjab Assembly budget session in view of likely protests by the opposition.

According to a notification, the Balochistan Assembly Secretariat has announced strict security and entry arrangements for the upcoming budget session.

In a significant directive, the entry of both government and private armed security personnel into the assembly secretariat during the proceedings has been prohibited.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2026 ...