CM presents Rs2.17t budget in assembly

PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Friday presented ‘prosperous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’ Rs2.17 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Members of the cabinet, lawmakers including leader of the opposition attended the session chaired by speaker Babir Saleem Swati. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year carries Rs1.645 trillion for current expenditure and Rs524.292 billion for development spending. Total provincial revenue has been estimated at Rs2.122 trillion, while a projected deficit of Rs48 billion will be financed through provincial savings, with no new borrowing planned.
The chief minister told the house that provincial revenue is expected at Rs182.410 billion, about Rs50 billion higher than the previous fiscal year.
He also clarified that no new taxes have been imposed in the budget.
He said the budget has been structured around nine thematic areas, with law and order among the top priorities. The police budget has been increased to Rs191.393 billion. Under a Rs14.5 billion procurement plan, modern weapons, bulletproof vehicles, APCs, drones and anti-drone systems will be purchased.
Additionally, Rs7.9 billion has been allocated for operational support, while Rs1 billion has been earmarked for drone-based policing.
New safe city projects will be launched across districts, along with the establishment of a modern forensic science laboratory in Peshawar.
The education budget has been raised to Rs468.379 billion. Key initiatives include Rs10 billion for 72 Chief Minister Model Schools, Rs5 billion for out-of-school children, Rs8.5 billion for free textbooks, Rs10.34 billion under the Good Governance Roadmap, Rs3.29 billion for underperforming schools, Rs360 million for the Education Card Programme, and Rs1.7 billion for primary-level teacher provision. Parent Teacher Councils will receive Rs6.148 billion, while Rs385 million has been allocated for justice-related education initiatives and orphan support.
For higher education, grant-in-aid for public universities has been increased to Rs11.8 billion. Two major institutions—the Khyber Institute of Applied and Modern Sciences and a Tribal Medical College—will be established with Rs5 billion each.
A total of Rs362 million has been allocated for 14 new government colleges, while Rs1.5 billion has been earmarked for internships and Rs2 billion for interest-free loans for students.
Health has received Rs334.8 billion. Of this, Rs50 billion is allocated for Sehat Card Plus and Rs14.263 billion for free medicines in public hospitals. Rs80 billion will be provided to Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs). Four BHU and RHC revamping projects worth Rs11 billion have been included, while recruitment of 2,819 doctors, dentists and nurses is underway. Other allocations include Rs9.9 billion for upgrading Jamrud Hospital, Rs4 billion for a new general hospital in Peshawar, and Rs200 million for cancer treatment.
Rs19.3 billion has been allocated for governance reforms, digitisation and service delivery improvements. For the merged districts, Rs29 billion has been allocated under the ADP and Rs17 billion for TDP-related support.
The chief minister expressed concern over non-release of TDP funds by the federation since 2022.
The Rapid Development Programme has been allocated Rs52 billion, while Rs180 billion is reserved for ongoing schemes.
Rs15 billion has been allocated for the Ehsaas Deserving Programme and Rs1 billion for the “Ehsaas Maa, Nai Zindagi, Nai Umid” initiative. Rs1.1 billion will fund five Zamong Kor complexes. Two journalist welfare projects worth Rs1 billion have also been included.
Local government funding has been raised to Rs90 billion, with Rs22.2 billion for local councils. Under the Peshawar Revitalisation Plan, 29 projects worth Rs120 billion have been included, covering underpasses, Ring Road upgrades, flyovers, underground cabling and urban transport improvements, including BRT operational support and new buses.