The Balochistan government has earmarked a combined Rs119.6 billion for the health and agriculture sectors in its fiscal year 2026-27 budget, signaling a strong focus on healthcare expansion, food security, and agricultural development. Presenting the provincial budget in the Balochistan Assembly, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani announced a record allocation of Rs96 billion for the health sector, including Rs6 billion for development projects and Rs90 billion for non-development expenditures, excluding assets.
Health Sector Allocations
The non-development allocation reflects a 30 per cent increase compared to last year's Rs71 billion, underscoring the provincial government's commitment to improving healthcare services. Nosherwani said quality healthcare remained a top priority for the government and highlighted several major initiatives aimed at strengthening the province's health infrastructure.
An allocation of Rs1.3 billion has been made for the operational expenses of the new trauma centre in Quetta to enhance access to modern emergency and critical care services. Funding for the Balochistan Health Card programme has been increased from Rs4.5 billion to Rs6 billion, while the grant for the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) has risen from Rs7.6 billion to Rs8.8 billion.
Medicine and Specialized Care
The government has also increased the allocation for medicines by 23 per cent, from Rs6.9 billion to Rs8.5 billion. Specialised healthcare services received additional support, with Rs10 million allocated for establishing a thalassemia centre in Kech district and Rs9 million for a similar facility in Gwadar.
The grant for the Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan Institute of Cardiology has been enhanced from Rs2.2 billion to Rs2.8 billion, while Rs1.1 billion has been earmarked for postgraduate doctors and house officers. Meanwhile, grants for Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung have increased from Rs400 million to Rs735 million.
The provincial government has also allocated Rs400 million each for the Burn Unit in Quetta and Prince Fahad Hospital in Dalbandin. The grant for Pak-Oman Hospital in Pasni has been raised from Rs200 million to Rs279 million, while the Balochistan Nutrition Programme will receive Rs1.5 billion. The government also announced the creation of 500 new positions in the health department.
Agriculture Sector Allocations
In the agriculture sector, the provincial government allocated Rs23.6 billion, including Rs4.4 billion for development projects and Rs19.2 billion for non-development expenditures. Describing agriculture as the backbone of the national economy, Nosherwani noted that the sector contributes 23.4 per cent to Pakistan's GDP.
Key Agricultural Initiatives
Budget documents show that Rs200 million has been earmarked for the Cotton Programme, Rs2.5 billion for the establishment of an Agro Market Hub, and Rs1 billion for the Kissan Card Programme. For the Food Department, Rs9 million has been allocated under the development budget, while Rs5.08 billion has been earmarked for non-development expenditures.
