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By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Punjab’s historic Rs 1240 billion development budget has been unveiled, with Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb highlighting transparency and people-centric spending in a post-budget press conference.
Read also: Punjab tables massive Rs510 billion supplementary Budget 2024–25
Marriyum stated that for the first time, the government has disclosed exactly where public funds are being spent. The budget features 3,132 development schemes, completion of 12,000 kilometers of roads, and strong allocations for health, education, and local development. Rs 181 billion has been earmarked for health, Rs 149 billion for education—including Rs 5 billion for special education and Rs 12 billion for scholarships—while Rs 27 billion has been allocated to distribute 100,000 laptops annually. The zero-tax budget also continues the Green Tractor and Solar schemes, with 400,000 farmers benefiting from interest-free loans. Under the Apna Chhat Apna Ghar Program, 50,000 people have already been provided homes, with a target of 100,000 by December and Rs 150 billion allocated. Clean water, sewerage, and roads are being developed across Punjab without discrimination. Other major initiatives include Punjab’s first Film City, 1100 e-buses, a high-speed train project between Lahore and Rawalpindi, Rs 3.5 billion for e-transport, and Rs 10 billion for the Model Village Program. Additionally, Rs 26 billion has been allocated for water reserves, Rs 24 billion for livestock, and Rs 36 billion for irrigation, while a new IT and Skill Development Department has been launched. Tourism is also a focus, with 170 sites identified. The ministers described the budget as a model of transparency, progress, and inclusive development.
