Lahore (Commerce Desk): The Government of Punjab has presented a tax-free budget worth Rs 5,903 billion for the fiscal year 2026–27, which includes proposals for a 7% increase in government employees’ salaries and a 3.5% rise in pensions.
Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said during the budget speech that the government is working to make the province a hub of investment.
According to the budget, Rs 750 billion has been allocated for education and Rs 500 billion for health, while Rs 803.88 billion has been proposed for local governments.
The development budget has been proposed to be reduced from Rs 1,450 billion to Rs 752 billion.
Other allocations include Rs 27 billion for the laptop scheme, Rs 15 billion for the Honhaar Scholarship program, and Rs 6.7 billion for information and culture.
Rs 10 billion has been set aside for the Kisan Card program, while Rs 82.80 billion has been allocated for free medicines. Additionally, Rs 37 billion has been proposed for the Ramadan package.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was present in the assembly session, which began with recitation of the Holy Quran, Naat, and the national anthem.
The Finance Minister also congratulated on the Iran-US peace agreement during his speech and praised the national leadership for this development.