Largest Development Outlay in Province’s History; CM Maryam Terms it ‘Historic Public Service Package’
LAHORE – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman on Monday presented a Rs5.35 trillion provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, touting it as a “people-friendly” and “tax-free” financial roadmap in line with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s development vision.
The budget, approved earlier by the provincial cabinet under CM Maryam’s leadership, was presented amidst vocal protests from opposition benches.
In her address during the 27th cabinet meeting, Maryam Nawaz announced a zero-new-tax policy, describing the budget as a reflection of public trust. “Every rupee has been treated as a sacred trust, and our approach is guided by accountability before God,” she stated.
The Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been increased by a record 47%, taking total development spending to Rs1.24 trillion—marking the highest in Punjab’s history. Despite this expansion, the government refrained from introducing any new taxes, choosing instead to broaden the tax base. CM Maryam expressed dissatisfaction with the Punjab Revenue Authority’s performance, noting there was “ample room for improvement.”
“We’ve ensured transparency, embraced e-tendering, and maintained strict financial discipline—there has not been a single scandal despite the scale of allocations,” she asserted.
The chief minister outlined key initiatives, including:
- Launch of 100 new development projects and 94 public programmes
- Construction or upgradation of 12,000 km of roads, with 700 projects already underway
- Focus on health and education, including free medicines and upgraded school infrastructure
- Minimum wage set at Rs40,000, with plans for digitised wage disbursement systems
She also revealed a 94% reduction in local borrowing and noted that despite meeting International Monetary Fund (IMF) requirements, Punjab posted a Rs740 billion budget surplus. CM Maryam hinted at introducing a performance-based bonus system for civil servants and praised her team for its commitment and efficiency.
“This is not just a budget—it is a historic public service package. The governance culture in Punjab has changed. Power is a trust from God, and our mission is to serve the people,” she said.
Senior Minister for Planning & Development Marriyum Aurangzeb and Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman also provided in-depth briefings during the session. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aurangzeb highlighted that while the ADP surged from Rs842 billion to Rs1.24 trillion, operational government expenditure rose by only 3%, despite increases in salaries and pensions.
She described the budget as a “strategic realignment of priorities,” calling it a bold shift from outdated practices under Maryam Nawaz’s “fearless and reform-oriented leadership.”
