LAHORE: The provincial government has earmarked only Rs10 billion for the police under the development sector out of a total budget of Rs300 billion allocated for the fiscal year 2025–26.

The police department is currently operating more than 720 police stations across the province, many of which are housed in dilapidated or rented buildings.

The development budget allocated to the police is being seen as highly insufficient to meet future needs, such as improving infrastructure or launching new initiatives. A major chunk of the non-development budget is expected to go towards salaries, allowances, utility bills and other operational expenses.

However, the government has shifted its major focus to the Punjab Smart Safe Cities project, allocating Rs5.8bn for it.

Additionally, Rs1.2bn have been set aside for the revamping and upgrade of the Lahore Safe City under the PPIC3 Lahore Project (Phase-I), while Rs2.5bn have been allocated for the establishment of smart safe cities in 19 other districts.

The newly established Crime Control Department has also secured a substantial share, with Rs6.5bn allocated for the 2025–26 financial year. Of this, Rs3.3bn is for non-development and Rs3.2bn for development. Separately, Rs3.2bn have been allocated for maintenance and repair works.

Under the National Reforms Project, the government has proposed an estimated Rs6bn for the establishment of a Prisons Complex in Lahore. In addition, a new jail will be constructed in Sialkot, for which Rs4.8bn have been allocated in the upcoming fiscal year.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025