Balochistan unveils Rs. 289 billion budget with added focus on education

The Balochistan Assembly unveiled their budget for the fiscal year 2016 – 2017 on Sunday. The budget, announced by Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, is valued at Rs. 289 billion with a deficit of Rs. 36.485 billion. The province has an expected income of Rs252.87 billion for the next financial year which includes federal receipts, revenues and foreign aid.

The new fiscal budget includes Rs 218.174 billion of non-development expenditures and Rs 71.182 billion of Annual Development Program. In order to boost industrial and commercial activity in the province, the budget for the upcoming year has particular focus on transport, education, health, infrastructure and productive sectors.

The education sector has been allocated an amount of Rs. 42.67 billion – a 15% increase from last year’s allocation. The Balochistan government plans to establish three medical colleges in Khuzdar, Loralai and Turbat. While no new schools will be built, but it was suggested that 70 middle schools be upgraded to high schools in different areas of the province. 80 primary schools will also be upgraded to middle school level.

The government also plans on distributing laptops among students and has allocated Rs. 500 million for the laptop distribution scheme. In order to boost education in the province 14,000 students will be given scholarships to pursue studies at national and international institutions.

Source – Dawn