QUETTA: Balochistan has unveiled its budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, featuring significant allocations for higher education and the fisheries sector, reflecting the government's focus on human capital development and sustainable coastal growth.
Higher Education Allocations
Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani announced a development budget of Rs2.3 billion for the Colleges, Higher and Technical Education Department, alongside Rs28.7 billion for non-development expenditures. He stressed that modern social and economic progress hinges on higher education, and that empowering youth through quality education is vital for building a skilled, self-reliant workforce.
The non-development allocation for the department has increased from Rs24 billion in FY2025-26 to Rs28 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget retains an Rs8 billion grant for public sector universities and proposes Rs2 billion in performance-based funding tied to key performance indicators (KPIs).
For FY2026-27, Rs105.8 million has been allocated for scholarships, including Rs54 million under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme to support talented students across the province. Additionally, Rs200 million has been set aside to address financial challenges faced by NUST University campuses in Balochistan, while Rs1 billion is earmarked for the operational needs of the Colleges Department.
Fisheries and Coastal Development
The provincial government allocated Rs346 million for development projects and Rs2.27 billion for non-development expenditures under the Fisheries and Coastal Development Department. Nosherwani highlighted Balochistan's 771-kilometre coastline, which offers vast opportunities in fisheries and coastal tourism, supporting thousands of livelihoods dependent on marine resources.
The government is preparing a comprehensive master plan for the entire coastal belt aligned with international standards. In FY2025-26, Rs300 million was spent on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) programme to strengthen patrolling and curb illegal fishing. For FY2026-27, Rs100 million has been allocated for a Digital Fisheries Information Management System and marine resource mapping initiative to enhance transparency and sustainable marine resource use.
The budget also includes Rs500 million for establishing a shrimp hatchery in Hub District. A new programme will train young fishermen, equipping them with skills to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
