LAHORE: The Punjab government is set to present its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 today (Monday, June 16), with a total outlay of over Rs53 trillion. The budget session will begin at 3:00 PM in the Punjab Assembly, where Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman will unveil the budget. Prior to the session, the provincial cabinet will hold a special meeting to formally approve the proposals.
This year’s budget places a strong focus on development, with the government planning to launch 3,132 new development schemes. A total of Rs1,240 billion has been proposed for the Annual Development Programme (ADP), including Rs470.62 billion allocated for new projects and Rs535.98 billion for ongoing schemes.
A key highlight of the budget is the proposed allocation of Rs1 billion for launching Punjab’s own airline — a first for the province. In addition, the government has decided to establish an Electric Power Regulatory Authority. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also announced the launch of an “Independent Programme” aimed at enhancing provincial autonomy in specific sectors.
For non-development expenditures, Rs4,060 billion has been earmarked.
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Earlier this month, the Punjab cabinet formally approved the establishment of the province’s first-ever airline, Air Punjab Private Limited, during its 26th meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The meeting covered 101 agenda items across various sectors including transport, agriculture, healthcare, labour safety, and social welfare.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that Air Punjab will become operational within a year. The airline project is part of a wider transport reform plan that also includes the launch of electric buses in all nine divisions of the province, installation of EV charging stations in major cities, and construction of new bus shelters and depots at key locations such as Thokar Niaz Baig and Lahore Railway Station.
