News Desk:
Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani unveiled Balochistan’s Sar Plus Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, emphasizing a commitment to equitable development across all divisions of the province. The budget announcement, presented alongside Provincial Planning and Development Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, highlighted key allocations and strategic initiatives to address public needs.
Minister Buledi revealed that the current budget incorporates 2700 previously pending public schemes, underscoring the government’s dedication to fulfilling longstanding developmental promises.
Education emerged as a primary focus with an allocation of over 26 billion rupees aimed at enhancing school infrastructure and supporting initiatives for out-of-school children. Similarly, the health sector received a significant 45% increase, amounting to 23 billion rupees for new healthcare projects, indicating a renewed commitment to improving public health services.
Minister Nosherwani reiterated the government’s pledge to ensure fair distribution of resources across Balochistan, marking a notable step towards comprehensive growth. “This budget prioritizes education, health, and climate change initiatives,” he affirmed, emphasizing the budget’s holistic approach to development.
A pivotal aspect of the development budget is the allocation of 100% of funds for projects up to 10 crores, aimed at promoting local infrastructure and fostering community-driven projects.
In response to concerns regarding Balochistan’s development challenges, Minister Nosherwani assured effective utilization of available resources, rejected claims of fund mismanagement and emphasised stringent financial oversight.
Efforts to address electricity shortages included discussions with Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif on transitioning tubewells to solar power, and securing federal support for sustainable energy solutions.
The budget garnered unanimous bipartisan support, reflecting consensus among political stakeholders on its inclusive development strategy. “Equal importance has been given to all regions of Balochistan,” noted Minister Nosherwani, emphasizing equitable resource distribution.
Looking forward, discussions with the federal government are ongoing to secure funding for critical infrastructure projects such as dams and transmission lines, essential for regional connectivity and economic progress.
In conclusion, the Sar Plus Budget represents a pivotal initiative towards achieving sustainable development goals in Balochistan, bolstered by meticulous planning and public-centric policies. Tendering processes for projects are set to commence in early July, marking a transformative phase of growth and prosperity for the province.
