Bugti pledges pro-people budget

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday said the provincial budget for 2026-27 would be framed as a balanced and realistic financial plan aimed at reflecting public aspirations while supporting sustainable development across the province.

Chairing a consultative session of the parliamentary committee at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Bugti said the budget-making process would be carried out through broad consultation and would seek to address the requirements of all regions of Balochistan. He said stakeholders would be taken into confidence during the process in an effort to ensure transparency and build consensus.

The meeting brought together parliamentary leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP). Participants reviewed arrangements for the upcoming provincial budget and shared proposals on development priorities and public welfare measures.

Key sectors discussed

According to the details shared at the meeting, the discussion covered a range of sectors considered central to the next budget, including education, healthcare, clean drinking water, communications, energy, civic facilities and basic infrastructure.

Bugti said the provincial government’s main objective was to prepare a people-friendly budget that remained consistent with Balochistan’s economic conditions while producing practical benefits for the public. He added that particular attention would be given to public welfare, job creation, stronger social sectors and infrastructure improvement.

Referring to the government’s development approach, the chief minister said priority would be given to schemes with a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives and on the province’s wider economic and social advancement.

"The government's focus is on projects that directly improve people's lives and contribute to the province's economic and social progress," Bugti said.