Punjab Unveils Rs5.335 Trillion Budget Without New Taxes

Maryam Nawaz says FY2026-27 budget focuses on relief, development and public welfare

LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Tuesday presented a Rs5.335 trillion provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 during a session of the Punjab Assembly.

The budget received formal approval from the provincial cabinet at its 35th meeting, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Addressing the cabinet, the chief minister expressed gratitude for the presentation of her third provincial budget and commended the efforts of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil, and the team involved in preparing the budget.

Maryam Nawaz stated that the FY2026-27 budget had been prepared without imposing any new taxes and was designed to promote public welfare, development, and prosperity. She described it as a “budget of hope” aimed at providing relief to citizens through the province’s own resources.

The chief minister said the government had made every effort to reduce the financial burden on the public despite economic challenges and prevailing global conditions.

She noted that while Punjab was required to allocate a substantial share of its resources to the federation, the provincial government remained committed to protecting public interests and delivering essential services.

Maryam Nawaz also directed the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) to adopt effective measures for increasing revenue collection and strengthening the province’s financial position.

She praised the collective efforts of cabinet members and government officials, saying the entire team had worked together to formulate a people-friendly budget focused on economic stability and development.

Expressing confidence in her administration’s performance, the chief minister said she hoped the budget would meet the expectations of the people, as previous budgets had aimed to do.

She concluded by reaffirming her commitment to serving the people of Punjab with dedication and sincerity.