MIRPUR:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed on Monday presented a record budget of Rs 286 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, describing it as the largest budget in the state’s history and a reflection of the government’s commitment to public welfare, economic growth and social justice.
Presenting the budget during the assembly budget session in the state capital, the finance minister said the total outlay for the new fiscal year has been pegged at Rs 286 billion, as against the revised estimate of Rs 262.165 billion for 2025-26, reflecting an increase of Rs 23.835 billion.
The budget allocates Rs 36 billion for development expenditure and Rs 250 billion for non-development expenditure. The government expects to generate Rs 75.2 billion in tax revenue, while the federal variable subsidy has been estimated at Rs 146 billion.
Announcing the Education Package 2026, Majeed said the government would create 3,308 new teaching posts, rationalize 1,629 existing posts, upgrade 709 educational institutions and strengthen over 300 schools across AJK. The package also includes the establishment of 109 new educational institutions and the creation of 726 additional posts in higher education institutions.
The Finance Minister said significant allocations had been made to improve health services. Several basic health units will be converted into rural health centres, while some rural health centers will be converted into Tehsil Central Hospitals.
He also announced the establishment of a modern cardiac hospital at Chakswari and increased stipends for house officers and postgraduate training doctors.
To strengthen law enforcement, the government approved the establishment of a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) within the AJK Police with 473 new posts.
A comprehensive martyr’s package for police personnel was also announced, providing compensations ranging between Rs 100 million and Rs 200 million depending on the rank, along with continuous salaries and service benefits to the families of martyred officers till their retirement age.
The Annual Development Program (ADP) for 2026-27 has been set at Rs 36,000 crore, including Rs 1,000 crore in foreign aid.
According to the Minister of Finance, 31 percent of development spending will be allocated to social sectors, 12 percent to productive sectors and 57 percent to infrastructure projects.
Key initiatives include construction of 671 kilometers of roads, rehabilitation of 394 kilometers of existing roads, construction of RCC and Bailey bridges, expansion of electricity transmission networks, installation of new transformers and provision of 30,000 new electricity connections.
The budget also focuses on digital transformation and economic empowerment. The government plans to set up IT Centers of Excellence in all districts, digitize land records, introduce e-stamping services and expand telehealth facilities.
In the agricultural and livestock sectors, it will distribute 100,000 fruit plants, establish demonstration plots for growing ginger, turmeric and soybeans, provide subsidies for the purchase of 600 high-breed cows, and distribute 70,000 poultry to widows and underprivileged women.
Interest-free loans will be provided to 2,267 qualified youths under the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Program and 30,000 beneficiaries through Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance.
