ISLAMABAD – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman is presenting record Rs5,335 billion budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, as opposition lawmakers protested loudly throughout the session.
The budget session saw heavy sloganeering and desk-thumping from opposition benches, who accused the government of ignoring public grievances and failing to provide economic relief to the masses. Despite the uproar, Mujtaba Shuja delivered the budget speech, outlining key development priorities and financial targets under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Punjab Budget 2025
Amid the noise, the finance minister announced a 10% raise in salaries for government employees and a 5% hike in pensions. He also highlighted a substantial 47.2% increase in the development budget — amounting to Rs1,240 billion — with major allocations for education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The education sector’s allocation was raised to Rs811.8 billion (a 21.2% hike), while health received Rs630.5 billion — up 17% from last year. Agriculture was also prioritized, with Rs129.5 billion earmarked to support farmers and enhance productivity.
Mujtaba Shuja emphasized the budget’s focus on fiscal discipline, with current expenditures pegged at Rs2,026.7 billion and service delivery costs slashed by 5.8%. Local governments are set to receive Rs934.2 billion.
The finance minister said Punjab aims to generate Rs828.1 billion in provincial revenue, including Rs524.7 billion in tax receipts. The Punjab Revenue Authority’s target has been increased to Rs340 billion, and the Board of Revenue is expected to collect Rs105 billion.
