QUETTA: Balochistan has utilized only 44 percent of its total development funds for the current fiscal year, despite the provincial government releasing over half of the allocated budget, according to official documents.
Citing sources, Geo News reported that the Balochistan government released 66 percent of the development funds for the fiscal year 2025-26. However, actual expenditure stood at 44 percent of the total allocation.
Documents show that a total of Rs 337.8 billion was set aside for development projects in the province for the ongoing fiscal year. The gap between released funds and actual spending indicates delays in project implementation and utilization capacity.
Officials have not yet commented on the slow pace of expenditure, which remains a recurring challenge for the province’s development agenda.
Meanwhile Pakistan Railways has announced the suspension of all train services across Balochistan for Thursday, March 27, citing technical faults and necessary track repairs.
According to railway officials, the decision will halt operations on the province’s rail network for the entire day. The suspension will significantly impact major routes, including the cancellation of the Jaffar Express.
Officials confirmed that the Jaffar Express, which operates from Quetta to Peshawar, will not depart from the provincial capital. Meanwhile, the incoming Jaffar Express traveling from Peshawar to Quetta will be terminated early, with authorities directing it to be returned from Jacobabad.
In addition to the disruptions to the Jaffar Express, railway authorities noted that the Bolan Mail service from Quetta to Karachi and the Chaman Passenger train remain suspended indefinitely. These services had already been halted earlier and will not operate on Thursday as the maintenance work continues.
Authorities have advised passengers to check for updates regarding the resumption of normal service, which will depend on the completion of the ongoing repair work.
