The recently announced budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 by the Balochistan government has led to widespread disappointment among government employees and ordinary citizens. Many feel that the financial plan offers little relief to those grappling with increasing costs, unemployment, and inadequate public services. During the provincial budget session, discontent became evident as members of the Balochistan Employees’ Grand Alliance protested against the government’s decision to raise salaries by only seven percent.
The dissatisfaction escalated in Quetta, where protesters clashed with the police while trying to march towards the provincial assembly, as reported by Dawn. Following the clashes, several alliance leaders were arrested, leading to the announcement of a shutdown of government offices, educational institutions, and other public-sector departments across the province by the employees’ body. Many residents, not just government employees, expressed frustration over the perceived lack of meaningful relief measures in the budget. Labourers, rickshaw drivers, and the salaried class voiced concerns that the budget did not address their economic challenges amid growing financial pressures.
Official documents reveal that the province anticipates total receipts of Rs 1.1 trillion, which includes substantial federal transfers. Despite being Pakistan’s largest province by area and possessing abundant natural resources, Balochistan remains one of the least developed regions in the country. Poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services continue to impact a significant portion of the population, as highlighted in the report.
Balochistan has been grappling with a prolonged insurgency that has significantly influenced budget priorities. Economic opportunities in the province are scarce, with limited industrial activity and an underdeveloped private sector. The dearth of job prospects has led many educated young individuals to rely on government employment, according to the report. Education and healthcare services face substantial challenges throughout the province, including in Quetta, where educational institutions have encountered financial difficulties, such as delays in salary payments to university teachers.
While the budget appears to project fiscal stability on paper, analysts suggest that it may struggle to effectively tackle the underlying issues of unemployment, poverty, weak public services, and economic stagnation that continue to impact the residents of Balochistan.
