LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved budget 2025-26, with a total outlay of Rs5335 billion.
The cabinet approved a development budget of Rs1240 billion, the largest in the history of the country and the province. About 27% of the total budget has been earmarked for health and education, and 73% for public investment. The budget proposed a 10% increase in employees’ salaries and a 5% increase in pension.
The Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned to increase the minimum wage from Rs37,000 to Rs40,000 per month. She also directed them to digitize payment of all types of wages in Punjab, besides ensuring the use of protective equipment for labourers and workers. She also directed the relevant authorities to register wedding halls, marquees, restaurants and farmhouses in Punjab by July 20, besides issuing an immediate notification in this regard.
The Chief Minister was briefed, “Rs630.5 billion are allocated for health, Rs811.8 billion for education, Rs411.1 billion for local government community development, Rs210.1 billion for police, Rs245.7 billion for housing and public health, Rs120 billion for roads, Rs141.5 billion for transport, Rs129.8 billion for agriculture, Rs16.6 billion for environment protection, Rs36 billion for forests, wildlife and fisheries, Rs79.5 billion for free medicines, Rs61 billion for Nawaz Sharif Medical District, Rs50 billion for Apni Chahat, Apna Ghar, Rs35 billion for Ramazan package, Rs46 billion for e-bus, Rs35 billion for governance and IT, Rs3.5 billion for e-taxi, and Rs85
billion for Lahore Development Programme.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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