ISLAMABAD – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Monday presented a record Rs5,335 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 in the Punjab Assembly, despite loud protests and disruptions from opposition lawmakers.
The session was marked by intense sloganeering and desk-thumping from opposition benches, who criticized the government for neglecting public hardships and failing to deliver meaningful economic relief. Undeterred, Mujtaba Shuja proceeded with his budget speech, outlining key financial targets and development plans under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
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Punjab Budget 2025 Highlights
Amid the commotion, the finance minister announced a 10% salary increase for government employees and a 5% pension raise. He also revealed a significant 47.2% boost in the development budget, now standing at Rs1,240 billion, with major allocations for education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The education budget was raised to Rs811.8 billion (up 21.2%), while health received Rs630.5 billion (an increase of 17%). Agriculture was also prioritized, with Rs129.5 billion set aside for farmer support and productivity enhancement.
Mujtaba Shuja stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility, with current expenditures capped at Rs2,026.7 billion and service delivery costs reduced by 5.8%. Local governments are slated to receive Rs934.2 billion.
Punjab’s revenue target has been set at Rs828.1 billion, including Rs524.7 billion from taxes. The Punjab Revenue Authority’s collection goal was raised to Rs340 billion, while the Board of Revenue aims to collect Rs105 billion.
Additionally, the budget projects a fiscal surplus of Rs740 billion and allocates Rs72.3 billion for targeted subsidies.
Despite fierce opposition criticism, the budget was formally tabled, with the government calling it a “development-oriented, people-friendly” plan, while opposition leaders dismissed it as a “political gimmick.”
