Pindi prepares Rs5.25b 'surplus' budget

Expenditure projected Rs423m below anticipated income; development spending estimated at Rs3.78b

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared a "surplus" budget of Rs5.247 billion for the fiscal year 2026–27, with final approval expected at a meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee later this week.

Official sources said the authority has projected expenditure to remain Rs423 million below its anticipated income, reflecting a strengthened financial position and improved fiscal management.

The budget has been prepared with an opening balance of Rs4.037b, while estimated revenue for the current financial year stands at Rs1.210b.

In addition, the RDA expects to receive Rs3.918b from the Punjab government in the form of grants under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and deposit works through the Personal Ledger Account (PLA).

Development expenditure has been estimated at Rs3.786b, while Rs1.039b has been earmarked for non-development expenditure, including salaries, pensions and other administrative expenses.

Sources said the authority exceeded its revenue target during the previous financial year, recovering Rs1.263b against a budgeted target of Rs1.190b, reflecting improved revenue generation and collection.

Officials further revealed that this is the first balanced budget prepared by the RDA since the 2017–18 financial year, based on verified cash book and bank balances.

The authority has also introduced stricter financial discipline from the current fiscal year by implementing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure a transparent and foolproof payment system.

The proposed budget is scheduled to be presented for final approval at the Finance Sub-Committee meeting, which will be chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner and RDA Director General Salman Ghani.

The meeting will also be attended by representatives of the provincial government's Finance Department, RDA officials and other relevant stakeholders.

Proposed federal development budget

This comes after the government had proposed a Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of Rs1 trillion as part of the broader Rs17.5 trillion budget, according to official budget documents, ahead of the presentation of the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Under the proposed PSDP, Rs682.48 billion has been allocated to federal ministries and divisions, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) is set to receive Rs224.51 billion.

The Water Resources Division is the largest recipient among federal entities, with a proposed allocation of Rs103.8 billion. The Power Division (NTDC/PEPCO) follows with Rs88 billion, while the Cabinet Division has been allocated more than Rs64.8 billion.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is proposed to receive Rs46 billion, followed by the Railways Division with Rs40.65 billion and the Federal Education and Professional Training Division with Rs36.31 billion.