Punjab trims ADP 40pc, sets Rs752bn outlay

LAHORE: The Punjab government has proposed an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Rs752 billion for fiscal year 2026-27, a sharp reduction from the Rs1.24 trillion approved for the outgoing year, according to budget documents. The lower allocation points to a greater focus on completing existing schemes while restricting the number of fresh projects.

The proposed ADP includes 3,560 development schemes, compared with 5,755 in the previous year’s programme. Of the total amount, Rs493.25 billion has been set aside for ongoing projects and Rs258.75 billion for new schemes. The number of ongoing projects has risen to 3,117, with Rs353.84 billion to come from local resources and Rs139.4 billion through foreign assistance. In contrast, only 420 new projects have been proposed, down from 1,662 introduced in the last fiscal year.

The development programme is part of the provincial government’s proposed overall budget outlay of Rs5.903 trillion for FY2026-27. Among the largest new projects is the proposed Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore, a health sector scheme estimated at Rs169 billion, for which Rs2 billion has been allocated in the coming fiscal year. The programme also sets aside Rs20 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and includes a cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan named after the late Kulsoom Nawaz. That project is estimated to cost Rs15 billion and has received an initial allocation of Rs800 million.

Welfare, youth and education schemes

The proposed ADP also includes several welfare and youth-focused initiatives. The government has earmarked Rs15.69 billion for the Chief Minister’s Laptop Programme, Rs2.47 billion for the Kisan Card initiative, Rs6.75 billion for Kisan Card Phase-II, Rs1 billion for Livestock Card Phase-II and Rs300 million for the Chief Minister’s International Placement Programme.

In the education sector, the government plans to establish Mian Nawaz Sharif Engineering and Technology University in Kasur. The project is estimated to cost Rs9.5 billion, with Rs200 million allocated for FY2026-27.

Sports and special education projects

The development programme also contains allocations for sports facilities in Kasur, Gujranwala and Sialkot, along with the proposed Maryam Nawaz Sports City in Lahore. That project is estimated to cost Rs50 billion.

In addition, the government has proposed setting up autism schools in all divisional headquarters across Punjab. The project carries an estimated cost of Rs4.5 billion, and Rs1.9 billion has been allocated for the next fiscal year.