ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments have allocated a combined Rs2.311 trillion for education in the 2026-27 fiscal year, with Balochistan emerging as the country’s top spender on a per-capita basis despite having one of the smallest overall education budgets.
Budget documents show that Punjab allocated the largest education budget at Rs750 billion, followed by Sindh with around Rs620 billion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Rs408 billion, and Balochistan with Rs144 billion. The federal government earmarked Rs300 billion for education, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir allocated Rs57 billion and Gilgit-Baltistan Rs30 billion.
While Punjab leads in total spending due to its large population, Balochistan’s per-capita education allocation is nearly double that of Punjab, highlighting the province’s growing focus on human capital development.
Balochistan increased its education budget by 15 percent compared with the previous year. The province allocated Rs115 billion for school education, Rs12 billion for development projects, and more than Rs31 billion for colleges and higher education.
The provincial government also proposed creating 3,000 new teaching positions. It earmarked Rs8 billion to upgrade schools from primary to middle level and from middle to high school level.
Punjab’s Rs750 billion education package represents more than 15 percent of its total budget. The province allocated Rs686.8 billion for salaries, subsidies, and operational expenses, while Rs63.3 billion was set aside for development projects, including school infrastructure, modernization, and digital learning initiatives.
Sindh allocated between Rs601 billion and Rs620 billion for education. The province earmarked Rs446.9 billion for school education and Rs41.4 billion for college education, alongside funding for universities and educational boards.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa allocated Rs408 billion for education, including Rs363 billion for primary and secondary education and Rs45 billion for higher education. The province also earmarked Rs9.5 billion for a model schools programme aimed at transforming 72 schools into institutions of international standards.
Under the initiative, selected students from grades six to twelve will receive free education, accommodation, meals, books, and stipends. The province also allocated Rs8.5 billion for free textbooks in public schools.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir allocated more than Rs57.7 billion for education, including Rs5 billion for development projects. Additional federal funding will support the establishment of Daanish Schools in several districts.
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Gilgit-Baltistan allocated approximately Rs30 billion for education, while federal development funds will support new schools and educational facilities across the region.
Officials said the latest budgets prioritize school upgrades, digital learning, teacher support, free textbooks, higher education, and modern educational infrastructure as Pakistan seeks to improve educational outcomes nationwide.
