Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman on Monday presented an RS5.335 billion budget for the financial year 2025–26 in the provincial assembly and termed it as a “folk-friendly” plan in line with the Development View of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The provincial cabinet, led by Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved the budget ahead of the session.

CM Maryam treated the 27th provincial cabinet meeting and announced a zero-tax budget for the financial year 2025-26.

Chief Minister said the budget reflects “every rupie as a public trust” and is ruled by “accountability for God.”

At his address, Maryam Nawaz highlighted an increase of 47% in the annual development program (ADP), where he took it to RS1.240 billion, while no new taxes were introduced. “This is a budget of zero tax and also the biggest development budget in Punjab’s history,” she said.

She noted that despite record distributions, “no financial scandal has arisen” that credits improved financial discipline, e-tenders and focus on transparency and good governance.

“Instead of raising the tax, we will focus on expanding the taxi,” she said, expressing dissatisfaction with Punjab Revenue Authority’s performance and added that “there is room for improvement.”

CM Maryam Nawaz outlined several results and goals, including the launch of 100 innovative development projects, 94 new public programs and construction or expansion of 12,000 kilometers of roads. “700 roads are currently under construction,” she added.

The Minister of Ministry confirmed his government’s focus on health and education and promised the delivery of free medicine and upgrades of infrastructures in public schools. She also announced that the minimum wage was set to RS40,000 and called for digitalisation of pay systems.

Maryam Nawaz credited his team’s efforts and welcomes senior minister and chief secretary’s performance and noted that her father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, also praised the cabinet’s work.

“We declared an emergency in Punjab and delivered. We met IMF conditions and still presented an RS740 billion budget surplus,” she said.

She also suggested a possible performance -based bonus system for officials and said the province had achieved a 94% reduction in local borrowing.

She called the budget 2025–26 a “Historical Public Service Package,” she concluded, “The work ethics in Punjab have transformed. Power is a trust from God; serving people is our mission.”

Senior Minister for Planning and Development Marriyum Aurangzeb and Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman gave detailed orientations during the session.

In a post on Social Platform X, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the annual development program (ADP) had been increased by 47% – from RS842 billion to RS1,240 billion – despite a “compressed” overall fiscal space. The government’s operational expenses increased by only 3%, even with pay and pension increases.

Aurangzeb described the budget as a historical and strategic adaptation of priorities and called it a departure from outdated traditions under the minister’s “fearless and reformist leadership.”