ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan鈥檚 militancy-hit Balochistan on Tuesday unveiled its $3.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani described as the 鈥渓argest鈥� one in the province鈥檚 history.

Balochistan is Pakistan鈥檚 largest province by land size but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators. The province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-lying insurgency for decades where ethnic separatist militants demand a greater share of the province鈥檚 mineral resources for locals. 

Nosherwani presented the budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta, with Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai chairing the session.

鈥淔or the upcoming fiscal year, the total budget is estimated at Rs1,028鈥痓illion [$3.63 billion]鈥� the largest in the province鈥檚 history,鈥� Nosherwani told lawmakers during the budget session.

鈥淥ut of this, the non-development budget is Rs642鈥痓illion [$2.26 billion] while the overall provincial development (PSDP) budget is Rs249.5鈥痓illion [$878 million],鈥� he added. 

The finance minister pointed out that the budget includes a Rs42 billion [$148.3 million] surplus, describing it as a 鈥渉istoric milestone鈥� for the province. 

Nosherwani said the government has earmarked over Rs120 billion [$423.5 million] for the schools sector and Rs29.1 billion [$102.7 million] for the higher education sector. 

The provincial government has also allocated Rs87 billion [$307 million] for the health sector, 鈧�26 billion [$91.8 million] for the agriculture sector and Rs1 billion [$3.53 million] for food, he said. 

He said the government had decided not to purchase new vehicles, except for the ones required by law enforcement personnel. 

鈥淭o create employment opportunities in 2025鈥�26, the provincial government plans to introduce 4,188 contract positions and 1,958 regular jobs across departments,鈥� Nosherwani said. 

He credited the provincial government for not overlooking any segment of society in the annual budget.

鈥淭hese measures cover government employees, women, pensioners, youth, migrants, laborers鈥� people from every walk of life,鈥� the finance minister said.