MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Tuesday approved the development and non-development budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, along with the Finance Bill 2025.

Chaired by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the 31st cabinet meeting also approved the revised development and non-development budget for the ongoing fiscal year (2024–25).

The cabinet gave approval to the current year’s revised and next year’s estimated budget proposals a day ahead of their presentation in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, by minister for finance Abdul Majid Khan.

The upcoming budget is said to be deficit-free and estimated at around Rs310 billion.

Upcoming budget is said to be deficit-free and estimated at around Rs310 billion

During the meeting, the secretary finance briefed the cabinet on the revised estimates for the current fiscal year and the proposed allocations for 2025–26, while the secretary inland revenue presented details of the Finance Bill 2025.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Haq said a people-friendly budget was essential to address public grievances and promote inclusive development.

He reiterated that the development of education and health sectors remained a top priority for his government, which would also continue to pursue a policy of fiscal austerity.

“The government is fully aware of the people’s concerns, and the true aim of our budgetary priorities is to foster policies that serve the public interest,” he said, assuring that the early completion of development projects would be ensured.

The prime minister asserted that the government was moving ahead with a comprehensive strategy to tackle economic challenges.

“We have rectified systemic flaws and directed resources toward public welfare,” he said, adding that sustained efforts would be made to ensure continuous improvement and provide maximum relief to the masses.

Highlighting institutional reform as a key focus of his administration, Mr Haq said aligning public institutions with modern needs was central to the government’s integrated strategy.

“We are committed to equitable development and will continue to eliminate regional disparities through fair distribution of resources across all parts of the state,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2025