Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Budget: 7% Proposed Increase in Government Employees’ Salaries, Billions Allocated for Health and Education

Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has announced key proposals for the upcoming provincial budget, including a suggested 7% increase in salaries and pensions of government employees. He has also recommended raising the minimum wage for laborers to Rs. 45,000, which has been included in the budget proposals.

The provincial government has prioritized public welfare, health, education, and law and order in the budget. A record Rs. 191 billion has been proposed for maintaining peace and improving the security situation, while Rs. 19.3 billion has been allocated for governance reforms.

Health and Education – Historic Funding Allocation

According to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, health and education are the core pillars of the provincial government. Key announcements include:

• Total Education & Health Budget: Rs. 468 billion for education and Rs. 334 billion for health.
• Sehat Card & Hospitals: Rs. 50 billion for the Sehat Card free treatment program, Rs. 14 billion for medicines in government hospitals, and Rs. 80 billion for MTI hospitals. Rs. 4 billion has been proposed for a new general hospital in Peshawar.
• Primary & Secondary Education: Rs. 10 billion allocated for school improvements, while Rs. 362 million approved for establishing 14 new colleges.

Peshawar Development, Transport & Infrastructure

Major initiatives have been introduced to improve urban development and transport facilities:

• Peshawar Revival Program: Rs. 36 billion allocated for beautification and infrastructure improvement.
• Roads & Transport: Rs. 52 billion for road improvements across the province, Rs. 14 billion for transport systems, and Rs. 7.5 billion for the Peshawar BRT system.
• Rescue 1122: Rs. 2.2 billion allocated to expand emergency services.

Social Welfare, Youth & Farmer Programs

Special relief measures have been announced for underprivileged groups and youth:

• Ehsaas & Zakat Programs: Rs. 15 billion for the Ehsaas support program and Rs. 28 billion for Zakat & Ushr assistance to the needy.
• Youth Employment & Internships: Rs. 1.5 billion internship program for youth. Rs. 2 billion allocated in loans for youth pursuing education or employment abroad. Rs. 200 million for the Ehsaas Youth Program in merged districts.
• Environmental Protection & Green Energy: Rs. 2.5 billion for electric bikes and rickshaws, and Rs. 98.99 million for environmental protection.

Other Sectors

• Agriculture: Rs. 29 billion
• Energy: Rs. 42 billion
• Local Government: Rs. 90 billion
• Home/Interior Affairs: Rs. 29 billion
• Farmer Program: Rs. 2 billion
• Minorities Welfare: Rs. 51 million
• Transgender Welfare: Rs. 100 million
• Disaster Management: Rs. 25.8 million