BNP-Awami rejects Balochistan budget, says fiscal plan is anti-people

QUETTA: Balochistan National Party-Awami president and provincial assembly member Mir Asad Baloch has rejected the Balochistan budget for the 2026-27 financial year, saying it was not prepared by the provincial government and describing it as an anti-people fiscal plan.

Speaking to reporters after an assembly session, Mr Baloch alleged that the budget had been drafted by people other than the province’s elected representatives. He said the financial plan had disregarded the voice of ordinary people as well as their basic rights, and in doing so had undermined the mandate given to elected lawmakers.

Concerns over budget process

Mr Baloch expressed strong doubts about the budget’s capacity to bring meaningful change in the province. He said similar budgets had been presented since 1970, but had failed to produce structural change, development or improvement in Balochistan.

He also pointed to what he called an uneven distribution of funds, arguing that the pattern was weakening democratic norms in the province. According to Mr Baloch, deputy commissioners had been allocated Rs40 billion, while elected public representatives had received only Rs20bn. He said the disparity was damaging the democratic system.

Call for federal review

Referring to the insurgency and broader security situation in Balochistan, Mr Baloch urged the federal government to revisit its policies toward the province and to raise financial allocations in line with conditions on the ground.

He said more resources were needed to support development in key sectors and employment creation. “The federation must reassess its policies, look at the actual situation on the ground, and significantly increase funds to ensure development in education, healthcare, agriculture, and employment generation,” he said.

Mr Baloch made the remarks after the assembly session while outlining his party’s opposition to the provincial budget for the coming fiscal year.