A notification to convene the Punjab Assembly session has been issued.

The 43rd session of the Punjab Assembly will be held at 2pm, and will be presided over by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman will present the budget.

The total expenditure of the government is estimated at Rs3,569.6 billion, with major allocations focused on salaries, pensions, social sectors and development programmes.

Prior to the budget presentation, a cabinet meeting is scheduled at 11am on Tuesday to approve the budgetary proposals.

This year, the development budget has been reduced by Rs698 billion, while the total development outlay has been proposed at Rs752 billion.

Under the budget proposals, Rs650 billion has been allocated for salaries, Rs505.8 billion for pensions, over Rs900 billion for education, and Rs680 billion for health.

The sources said that the major focus of the budget is on the social sector, adding that there’s no proposal to impose new taxes.

The budget also proposes salary and pension increases in line with the federal government’s decision.

Key allocations

The budget is likely to earmark Rs650 billion for salaries and Rs505.8 billion for pensions.

Operational expenditures are estimated at Rs580.2 billion, while Rs25 billion will be proposed for social protection initiatives.

The flagship “Suthra Punjab” programme is expected to get an allocation of Rs150 billion, while Rs221.9 billion will be set aside for other investment-related programmes.

Projects funded through external assistance are expected to receive Rs54 billion, and another Rs570 billion will likely be proposed for development and capital expenditure.

Health and education

The health sector is estimated to get Rs680 billion, including Rs100 billion for the provision of free medicines.

Education is expected to receive more than Rs900 billion in the new budget, reflecting continued emphasis on the social sector.

Student-focused initiatives, such as laptop distribution, electric scooters and bicycle schemes, will also be part of budgetary proposals.