GB unveils Rs218.8bn budget after long wait

According to Dawn, the Gilgit-Baltistan government unveiled its budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on Tuesday, three months later than originally planned. The total outlay is estimated at Rs218.845 billion, with a deficit above Rs52 billion that the regional administration wants to cover with federal funds. The delay followed an interim plan of Rs20.478 billion for the first quarter, which was presented in July.

Senior Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar, the holder of the finance portfolio, presented the document in the assembly on Tuesday. He told lawmakers that the elected government took office only at the end of June, which left little room for a full-year plan. Development spending is set at Rs43.97 billion and non-development spending at Rs149.87 billion, while tax revenue is targeted at Rs16.98 billion.

The minimum wage for employees in government and non-government institutions has been raised from Rs40,000 to Rs44,000, and Rs63.57 billion has been allocated for salaries. The wheat subsidy fund was lifted from Rs15 billion to Rs22 billion, and non-development budgets of all departments are being cut by 30 per cent. Rs5.034 billion has been allocated for development projects in 10 districts.