Lahore:
The Punjab government has announced a record RS1.24 trillion annual Development Program (ADP) for the financial year 2025-26, aiming to accelerate economic growth, improve the infrastructure and expand access to critical public services throughout the province.
According to the budget documents, the development distribution includes RS314.1 billion for capital costs, RS801.5 billion for revenue -based projects and RS124.3 billion in foreign project assistance. A further RS233.4 billion is earmarked for special and other development initiatives. The plan seeks to balance ongoing projects with new schemes, in line with Punjab’s long -term development agenda.
Social sectors account for the largest proportion of ADP and receive RS493.5 billion. This includes RS100 billion for school education, RS39.5 billion for higher education, RS5 billion for special education, RS4 billion for literacy and non-formal education, RS7.6 billion for sports and youth affairs, RS95 billion for specialized health services and medical education and RS86 billion for general health Welfare.
Water supply and sanitation projects will receive RS6 billion, social welfare RS7 billion, women’s development RS14 billion and local authorities and community development RS142 billion.
Infrastructure development has received RS335.5 billion, with the road sector receiving RS120 billion to improve connection, especially between rural and urban areas.
The irrigation sector is awarded RS38 billion, including RS10.3 billion from foreign aid, to modernization of water management systems to improve agricultural productivity and climate insurance.
The energy sector is intended to receive RS7.5 billion, while RS25 billion will go towards public buildings. Urban development will receive RS145 billion, including RS24.2 billion in foreign aid.
In total, RS164.2 billion is dedicated to production sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fishing, forestry and cooperatives. Agriculture is awarded RS80 billion, targeting mechanization, improved irrigation and better seed quality.
Livestock and dairy production is awarded RS5 billion, and fishing and forestry together will receive RS15 billion. In addition, the RS10.5 billion has been earmarked for price control and raw material management, RS10 billion for the preservation of wildlife and RS500 million for the cooperative department.
In support of youth employment and innovation, RS12 billion has been awarded for skills development and entrepreneurial initiatives. The industry and the trading sector have also received RS12 billion, aiming to promote small businesses, the development of industrial park and attract investments.
Tourism is awarded RS18 billion in support of the conservation of inheritance, infrastructure for hospitality and promotional activities. The sector for mining and minerals receives RS12 billion.
Service sectors will benefit from RS141.6 billion in financing. Management and reform are prioritized with RS35 billion awarded for digital transformation, e-governance and improvement of service delivery. Development of labor and human resource will receive RS20.4 billion, while the transport sector will receive RS85 billion, which will be used to introduce electrical buses in different cities in the province.
Emergency Services, including Rescue 1122, is awarded RS12 billion to strengthen the disaster action and emergency medical services. Environmental protection and climate change initiatives are also supported with RS15 billion.
Special development initiatives have been budgeted for the RS30.2 billion, while RS38 billion has been set aside for planning and development operations. The plan includes dedicated funding to minority affairs, human rights, religious affairs and cultural preservation with the goal of creating inclusive development.
The most important new initiatives under ADP include Apni Chhat APNA Ghar Housing Project with an award of RS50 billion, and the Chief Minister’s SAA as Pani program with RS15 billion total outlay and RS5 billion award.
The government will strengthen new PHAs and WASAS throughout the province with RS10 billion and launches chief minister Punjab development program worth RS25 billion.
Other local development projects include Model Village program, RS96 billion Punjab Rural Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project and Murree Development Program Phase-2.
In the transport sector, RS89 billion has been awarded to the introduction of over 600 environmentally friendly buses in larger cities with RS45.9 billion in this financial year. High-speed rail and tourist trains Feasibility studies have received seed money, as have urban mass transport systems in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.
Other initiatives include planning regional railways, a proposed Air Punjab Airline and the development of infrastructure for electrical buses in Lahore under the Punjab Clean Air program.
