Most of it depends on federal support; The region’s own non-tax revenue is estimated at Rs 6.08 billion.
GILGIT:
Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance Muhammad Ali Akhtar on Monday presented a three-month interim budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, saying the government opted for an interim budget instead of a full-year financial plan.
Presenting the budget, Akhtar said the interim agreement is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted functioning of government departments, continuation of public services and timely payment of salaries and benefits to government employees. He said negotiations are underway with the federal government on resource allocation and wheat subsidy.
According to the budget documents, the estimated total resources available to GB during the fiscal year 2026-27 amount to Rs 158.54 billion, an increase of about Rs 12.23 billion compared to the previous fiscal year.
A significant portion of the budget depends on federal support, including a non-development grant of Rs 88 billion, while the region’s own non-tax revenue is estimated at around Rs 6.08 billion.
The advisor said Rs 20,478 crore had been sought for approval to meet expenses during the first quarter of the fiscal year, while Rs 15,225 crore had been earmarked to pay salaries and benefits to government employees.
He said 15 billion rupees had been allocated for wheat subsidy to ensure continuous supply of subsidized wheat to the people, while wheat sales were expected to generate 3 billion rupees in revenue. Efforts are also underway to obtain additional financial support from the federal government for the subsidy.
Akhtar said the interim budget proposed an additional allocation of Rs 300 crore for the Health Endowment Fund to facilitate treatment of deserving patients. It also allocated Rs 25 million for the eradication of tuberculosis during the first quarter and Rs 100 million for the purchase of new ambulances.
He said Rs 138 million had been allocated to GB Waste Management Company and Rs 202 million to local government institutions to improve sanitation and municipal services across the region.
The advisor said Rs 100 million had been proposed as government contribution under the new pension policy, Rs 200 million for group insurance and Rs 250 million as initial capital for the General Provident Fund.
