Investment in students, coastal growth

Rs31b earmarked for colleges and technical education, alongside major coastal development investments

QUETTA:

Balochistan has announced significant allocations for higher education and the fisheries sector in its budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, underscoring its commitment to human capital development and sustainable coastal growth.

Presenting the provincial budget, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said that Rs2.3 billion had been allocated for the development budget of the Colleges, Higher and Technical Education Department, while Rs28.7 billion had been earmarked for non-development expenditures.

The minister emphasized that social and economic progress in the modern era is impossible without higher education, adding that empowering young people through quality education is essential to building a skilled, self-reliant workforce.

He noted that the government had increased the department's non-development allocation from Rs24 billion in FY2025-26 to Rs28 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.

The budget also retains the existing Rs8 billion grant for public sector universities. In addition, the government has proposed Rs2 billion in performance-based funding linked to the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs).

During the current fiscal year, students enrolled in colleges and universities received scholarships and laptops under various government initiatives. For FY2026-27, Rs105.8 million has been allocated for scholarships, including Rs54 million under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme to support talented students across the province.

The government has also set aside Rs200 million to address the financial challenges faced by NUST University campuses in the province, while an additional Rs1 billion grant has been earmarked to meet the operational needs of the Colleges Department.

Separately, the provincial government allocated Rs346 million for development projects and Rs2.27 billion for non-development expenditures under the Fisheries and Coastal Development Department.

Highlighting the province's vast maritime potential, Nosherwani said that Balochistan is blessed with a 771-kilometre coastline that offers immense opportunities in fisheries and coastal tourism, with thousands of livelihoods dependent on marine resources.

He said the government is preparing a comprehensive master plan for the entire coastal belt in line with international standards.

During FY2025-26, the government spent Rs300 million on its Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) programme to strengthen patrolling and curb illegal fishing activities.

For FY2026-27, Rs100 million has been allocated to implement a Digital Fisheries Information Management System and marine resource mapping initiative aimed at improving transparency and ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources.

The budget also includes Rs500 million for the establishment of a shrimp hatchery in the district of Hub District. In addition, a new programme will be launched to train young fishermen and equip them with skills to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.