Independent Report
QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has spotlighted a critical strain in the province’s annual budget, which approaches Rs 1 trillion, revealing that nearly four-fifths of the funds are consumed by non-development expenditures.
Addressing the issue on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister noted that a large portion of the non-development allocation goes toward salaries and pensions for roughly 250,000 government employees. This leaves only Rs 200 billion available to meet the development and welfare needs of Balochistan’s 13 million residents.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti outlined steps taken over the last two years to tackle this fiscal imbalance, including the closure of several outdated and inefficient departments such as Zakat, Religious Affairs, and Civil Defense. The government has also eliminated 8,000 redundant posts and enforced strict measures against absenteeism, all aimed at bolstering transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency within provincial institutions.
The Chief Minister underscored that ongoing reforms will not be compromised by protests, external pressures, or attempts at coercion. He reaffirmed that public service, transparent governance, and efficiency continue to drive the provincial administration’s priorities.
He further emphasized that these reform initiatives are structured to deliver sustainable, long-term advantages, improving governance standards, financial stability, and the overall quality of public services throughout Balochistan.
