Balochistan education budget may rise 300%

CM announces doubling of health budget

QUETTA:

Balochistan is set to increase the education budget by 300 per cent and health allocations by 100 per cent in the next fiscal budget.

This time Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has set a new precedent by involving both government coalition parties and opposition members in the consultation process for the annual budget.

This unprecedented collaboration was showcased during a lunch organized by the Chief Minister on Saturday, which saw the participation of Speaker Provincial Assembly Abdul Khaliq Achakzai among other key political figures.

For the next fiscal year, the Balochistan government has proposed a significant increase in budget allocations for education and health.

The education budget is set to rise by 300 per cent, while the health budget will see a 100 per cent increase. This substantial boost reflects the government’s priority to improve these critical sectors.

The CM highlighted that the first-ever inclusion of development projects approved under PC-1 in the budget will ensure transparency and accountability. He assured that the tendering process for these projects will commence from the first week of the new fiscal year, emphasizing the responsibility of concerned departments to monitor the progress effectively.

In an ambitious move to enhance education opportunities, the chief minister announced the launch of the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program. This initiative will open doors to 200 universities worldwide, including prestigious institutions like Oxford, for students from Balochistan, with the government covering their annual expenses.

On the healthcare front, the government is set to introduce the province’s first air ambulance service. In partnership with the Sindh government, Balochistan will adopt a public-private model to improve medical facilities, including the establishment of a liver transplant center in Naseerabad district.

This center, facilitated by a land donation from senior party leader Mir Mohammad Sadiq Umrani, aims at providing advanced medical care for liver diseases.

The Balochistan government is also intensifying efforts to combat drug addiction. Action will begin to activate rehabilitation centers for drug addicts soon after Eid.

The chief minister reiterated the importance of effective monitoring and accountability in all development projects, with the CMIT and anti-corruption establishment being mobilized to ensure quality and timely completion.

The budget and reforms initiatives have garnered strong support from coalition and opposition leaders alike. Pakistan Peoples Party leader and Provincial Minister for Development and Planning, Mir Zahoor Ahmad Buledi, praised the reforms, expressing confidence in their positive outcomes.

He highlighted accelerated progress on CPEC and other key communication projects, attributing it to the current government’s proactive approach.

Awami National Party’s parliamentary leader, Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai, also voiced his support, noting that increasing revenue in productive sectors could help alleviate unemployment. Other provincial assembly members echoed these sentiments, pledging cooperation for the betterment of governance and public welfare under chief minister’s leadership.