Balochistan govt presents Rs584b annual budget 

Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmad Buledi presented Rs584 billion provincial budget with a deficit of Rs84billion for the fiscal year of 2021-22.

According to the minister, the non-developmental spending stood at Rs346.861 and developmental expenditure at Rs237 billion.

No new tax has been imposed in the budget while 5,000 new vacancies are on the cards.

The finance minister announced a 10 percent increase in the salaries of the government employees and Rs3 billion for government staff housing fund.

He said the provincial government has earmarked Rs71 billion for education, Rs38 billion for health, Rs5.5 billion for health insurance, Rs2 billion enterprise development, Rs2 billion for special persons and Rs500 million for women economic empowerment.

The government earmarked Rs500 million for minorities welfare and Rs3 billion for the pension fund. 

More than 100 schools will be upgraded while Rs11 billion has been allocated for improving hospitals.

Buledi said the government will be bringing in a centre of excellence high school project while surgical towers in provincial civil hospitals, a training centre in Machh jail.

The budget session of the provincial assembly started two hours behind schedule because of a violent protest against unfair distribution of funds in front of the assembly.

The protesters clashed with police when the protesting lawmakers locked up the assembly gates to prevent the government from presenting the budget.

The lawmen used baton-charge and teargas to disperse the demonstrators. Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan were escorted into the building.