Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman recently unveiled a budget of Rs5,335 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the provincial assembly. This budget, approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is aimed at benefiting the people and supporting the development vision of the province.

During the 27th provincial cabinet meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced a zero-tax budget for the upcoming fiscal year. She emphasized that every rupee in the budget is considered a public trust and highlighted a 47% increase in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) to Rs1,240 billion without introducing any new taxes.

Maryam Nawaz praised the financial discipline, e-tendering processes, and transparency initiatives that have prevented any financial scandals despite record allocations. She expressed a commitment to expanding the tax net rather than raising taxes and called for improvements in the Punjab Revenue Authority's performance.

The budget includes plans for 100 innovative development projects, 94 new public programs, and the construction or expansion of 12,000 kilometers of roads. CM Maryam Nawaz also emphasized the government's focus on health and education, promising free medicines, infrastructure upgrades in public schools, and a minimum wage of Rs40,000.

She commended her team's efforts, highlighted achievements such as meeting IMF conditions and presenting a budget surplus of Rs740 billion. The chief minister hinted at a performance-based bonus system for civil servants and noted a significant reduction in local borrowing.

Senior Minister for Planning & Development Marriyum Aurangzeb and Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman provided detailed briefings during the session, with Aurangzeb praising the budget as a historic realignment of priorities under the chief minister's leadership.