Punjab finance minister, Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman, presented on Monday a budget of 5,335 billion RS5,335 billion for fiscal year 2025–26 in the Provincial Assembly, qualifying a “friendly plan for people” aligned with the development vision of the main minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The provincial cabinet, led by Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved the budget before the session.
CM Maryam went to the 27th Provincial Cabinet Meeting, announcing a zero tax budget for fiscal year 2025–26.
The prime minister said the budget reflects “each rupee as a public trust” and is guided by “responsibility before God.”
In its direction, Maryam Nawaz highlighted a 47% increase in the Annual Development Program (ADP), leading to RS1,240 billion, while ensuring that no new taxes were introduced. “This is a zero tax budget and also the biggest development budget in the history of Punjab,” he said.
He pointed out that despite record assignments, “a financial scandal has not emerged,” accrediting a better financial discipline, electronic accounting processes and an focus on transparency and good governance.
“Instead of increasing taxes, we will focus on expanding the fiscal network,” he said, while expressing dissatisfaction on the performance of Punjab’s income authority, and added that “there is a margin of improvement.”
CM Maryam Nawaz described several achievements and objectives, including the launch of 100 innovative development projects, 94 new public programs and the construction or expansion of 12,000 kilometers of roads. “700 roads are currently under construction,” he added.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the approach of his government on health and education, promising the provision of free medicines and infrastructure improvements in public schools. He also announced that the minimum wage had been established in RS40,000 and requested the digitalization of salary systems.
Maryam Nawaz accredited his team’s efforts, applauding the principal minister and the performance of the main secretary, noting that his father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also praised the work of the cabinet.
“We declared an emergency in Punjab and delivered. We met the IMF conditions and we still presented a 740 billion budget surplus,” he said.
He also hinted at a possible bonus system based on performance for public officials and said that the province had achieved a 94% reduction in local loans.
Calling the 2025–26 budget a “historic public service package”, concluded: “The ethics of work in Punjab has transformed. Power is a confidence of God; serving people is our mission.”
Minister of Planning and Development Marriyum Aurangzeb and the Minister of Finance, Mujtaba Shuja, Ur Rehman, gave detailed sessions during the session.
In a publication on social platform X, main minister Marriyum Aurengzeb said that the Annual Development Program (ADP) had increased by 47%, from RS842 billion to RS1,240 billion, despite a “compressed” tax space. Government’s operating expenses increased only 3%, even with salaries and pension walks.
Punjab Budget highlighted
Prime Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Annual Punjab budget.
Despite a relatively compressed budget, the ADP has increased by 47% of 842 billion to 1240 billion, while government operating expenses increased only by 3%, even after salary and pension … pic.twitter.com/ddmksqifwf– Marriyum aungzeb (@mariyum_a) June 16, 2025
Aurengzeb described the budget as a historical and strategic realignment of the priorities, qualifying it as deviation from obsolete traditions under the “intrepid and reformist leadership” of the main minister.
