The Finance Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Muhammad Ismail, presented the region’s Rs148.63 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Monday, with a focus on non-development and development expenditures.
Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate delivered the budget in the session. Of the total budget, Rs88.19 billion has been allocated for non-development expenditures, while Rs37 billion will go toward development. The region will receive Rs80 billion in federal grants for the upcoming fiscal year.
A significant Rs20 billion has been set aside for the purchase of subsidized wheat, and the Annual Development Plan will total Rs22 billion, with Rs11 billion allocated to PSDP projects. Additionally, Rs59.60 billion will be spent on salaries for government employees, while Rs28.29 billion will cover service delivery and administrative matters, including health, education, basic facilities, and electricity supply.
Rs80 million has been allocated for regional elections scheduled for November, and Rs50 million will go toward the health endowment fund.
Due to the region’s reliance on federal grants and its exemption from direct taxes, the finance minister stressed the importance of boosting local revenue collection, noting a 45% increase in revenue compared to the previous year.
In terms of welfare, Rs13.3 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of people affected by natural disasters, and Rs45 million will be used for the benevolent fund and group insurance funds for government employees.
The opposition, however, boycotted the session, calling the budget “anti-poor.” Opposition Leader Kazim Mesum and other members protested by tearing budget speech copies and chanting slogans against the government.
