Punjab ADP cut to Rs752b
The Punjab government has proposed an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Rs752 billion for fiscal year 2026-27, significantly lower than the Rs1.24 trillion approved for the outgoing year, signalling a shift towards completing ongoing projects while limiting the launch of new schemes.
Budget documents show the proposed ADP comprises 3,560 development projects, down from 5,755 schemes included in the previous year's programme. Of the total allocation, Rs493.25 billion has been earmarked for ongoing projects and Rs258.75 billion for new initiatives.
The number of ongoing schemes has increased to 3,117, receiving Rs353.84 billion from local resources and Rs139.4 billion through foreign assistance.
In contrast, only 420 new projects have been proposed, compared with 1,662 introduced in the previous fiscal year.
The ADP forms part of the provincial government's proposed budget outlay of Rs5.903 trillion for FY2026-27.
Among the largest new initiatives is the proposed Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore, a healthcare project estimated to cost Rs169 billion. The government has allocated Rs2 billion for the scheme in the upcoming fiscal year.
The development programme also proposes Rs20 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and includes plans for a cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan named after the late Kulsoom Nawaz. The latter project carries an estimated cost of Rs15 billion, with an initial allocation of Rs800 million.
Several flagship welfare and youth-oriented initiatives have also been included in the programme. The government has proposed Rs15.69 billion for the Chief Minister's Laptop Programme, Rs2.47 billion for the Kisan Card initiative, Rs6.75 billion for Kisan Card Phase-II, Rs1 billion for Livestock Card Phase-II and Rs300 million for the Chief Minister's International Placement Programme.
In the education sector, the government plans to establish Mian Nawaz Sharif Engineering and Technology University in Kasur. The project is estimated to cost Rs9.5 billion and has been allocated Rs200 million for FY2026-27.
The ADP also includes funding for sports facilities in Kasur, Gujranwala and Sialkot, as well as the proposed Maryam Nawaz Sports City in Lahore, a project estimated to cost Rs50 billion.
The government has proposed establishing autism schools in all divisional headquarters across the province. The project carries an estimated cost of Rs4.5 billion, with Rs1.9 billion allocated for the next fiscal year.