The Punjab government has unveiled a proposed Annual Development Programme (ADP) worth Rs752 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27. This marks a notable reduction from the Rs1.24 trillion approved for the current fiscal year, signaling a strategic pivot toward completing existing projects while curbing the initiation of new schemes.
Key Figures and Project Breakdown
Budget documents indicate that the proposed ADP encompasses 3,560 development projects, a decrease from the 5,755 schemes included in the previous year's programme. Of the total allocation, Rs493.25 billion has been designated for ongoing projects, while Rs258.75 billion is set aside for new initiatives. The number of ongoing schemes has risen to 3,117, supported by Rs353.84 billion from local resources and Rs139.4 billion through foreign assistance. In contrast, only 420 new projects have been proposed, compared to 1,662 introduced in the previous fiscal year.
Healthcare Initiatives
Among the largest new initiatives is the proposed Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore, a healthcare project with an estimated cost of Rs169 billion. The government has allocated Rs2 billion for this scheme in the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the development programme includes Rs20 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and plans for a cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, named after the late Kulsoom Nawaz. The latter project carries an estimated cost of Rs15 billion, with an initial allocation of Rs800 million.
Welfare and Youth-Oriented Programmes
Several flagship welfare and youth-oriented initiatives have been incorporated into the programme. The government has proposed Rs15.69 billion for the Chief Minister's Laptop Programme, Rs2.47 billion for the Kisan Card initiative, Rs6.75 billion for Kisan Card Phase-II, Rs1 billion for Livestock Card Phase-II, and Rs300 million for the Chief Minister's International Placement Programme.
Education and Sports
In the education sector, the government plans to establish the Mian Nawaz Sharif Engineering and Technology University in Kasur. This project is estimated to cost Rs9.5 billion, with an allocation of Rs200 million for FY2026-27. The ADP also includes funding for sports facilities in Kasur, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, as well as the proposed Maryam Nawaz Sports City in Lahore, a project estimated to cost Rs50 billion. Furthermore, the government has proposed establishing autism schools in all divisional headquarters across the province. This project carries an estimated cost of Rs4.5 billion, with Rs1.9 billion allocated for the next fiscal year.
The ADP forms part of the provincial government's proposed budget outlay of Rs5.903 trillion for FY2026-27.
