Balochistan Budget Presentation Marred by Press Exclusion and MPA Criticism

The Balochistan government cancelled its post-budget press conference and withheld budget documents from journalists and the public for the first time during the presentation of the 2026-27 budget. Lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over the financial plan, with both opposition and treasury members criticizing the spending allocations. The Rs206 billion Public Sector Development Programme was deemed inadequate by many MPAs, who also noted the continued worsening of terrorism and instability despite significant funding for law and order. Opposition Leader Mir Younas Aziz Zehri called the development allocation insufficient and claimed the federal government unfairly reduced Balochistan's budget. Former Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch rejected the budget as disconnected from the province's realities, emphasizing issues of political rights and resource control. Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Durrani defended the plan.

This news is important as it highlights issues of transparency in government budgeting and significant criticism from lawmakers regarding resource allocation and provincial development.