The Punjab government has announced a Rs. 752 billion Annual Development Program (ADP) for the upcoming fiscal year, marking a nearly 40% reduction compared to last year’s Rs. 1,240 billion allocation.
The cut in development spending comes after the province transferred Rs. 749 billion to the national exchequer. Despite the reduced budget, the government has continued to prioritize social sectors, which receive the largest share of Rs. 333.66 billion.
Sector-wise, infrastructure has been allocated Rs. 117.24 billion, followed by the production sector with Rs. 103.25 billion, services with Rs. 86.08 billion, governance and law and order with Rs. 72.95 billion, and climate-related initiatives with Rs. 38.82 billion.
Within the social sector, Local Government and Community Development leads with Rs. 115.5 billion, while Water and Sanitation has been allocated Rs. 62.76 billion.
In education and health, Rs. 43.1 billion has been set aside for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, Rs. 33.2 billion for Health and Population, Rs. 30.5 billion for Higher Education, and Rs. 25.3 billion for School Education.
For infrastructure, the Communication and Works department has received the largest share of Rs. 74.1 billion for road networks and public infrastructure projects, while Irrigation has been allocated Rs. 30 billion.
In the production sector, Agriculture dominates with Rs. 60 billion. Other allocations include Rs. 16.65 billion for Industries, Commerce and Investment, Rs. 12.56 billion for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Rs. 6.75 billion for Livestock and Dairy Development, and Rs. 6 billion for Tourism, Archaeology and Museums.
The services sector is largely focused on transport, which has been granted Rs. 78.5 billion out of a total Rs. 86.08 billion.
For environmental and climate initiatives, Rs. 15.42 billion has been earmarked for Environment and Climate Change, Rs. 15.3 billion for Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Rs. 8.1 billion for Forestry and Wildlife.
Under governance, law and order, Planning and Development has been allocated Rs. 25.35 billion, the Board of Revenue Rs. 18.95 billion, and Police Rs. 12.88 billion.
Smaller allocations have also been made for sectors including sports, literacy, special education, women’s development, social welfare, judiciary, finance, law, home affairs, public prosecution, information technology, excise, and professional training programs.
