Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has presented the largest budget in its history for the fiscal year 2025-26, with a total volume of Rs 310.20 billion. The budget was formally tabled in the AJK Legislative Assembly on Wednesday during a session chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar.
AJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan introduced both the revised budget for 2024-25 and the proposed estimates for 2025-26. He stated that the combined development and non-development expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year are projected at Rs 310.20 billion. In comparison, the revised estimate for the current fiscal year stood at Rs 224 billion.
Thanks to efforts by the current administration and support from the federal government, an increase of Rs 86.20 billion has been made possible in the next year’s budget. The government, now more than two years into its term, has not only secured considerable financial resources but has also achieved financial discipline.
For the fiscal year 2025-26, Rs 49 billion have been allocated to development projects, with a focus on accelerating growth in both economic and social sectors.
Revenue Projections:
Total revenue for FY 2025-26 is estimated at Rs 261.20 billion, which matches the estimated expenditures. Key sources include:
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Inland Revenue: Rs 85 billion
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Land Record & Settlement: Rs 180 million
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Stamps: Rs 500 million
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AJK Transport Authority: Rs 70 million
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Armed Services Board: Rs 40 million
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Law & Order: Rs 320 million
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Police (Interior): Rs 250.6 million
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Prisons: Rs 2.5 million
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Communication & Works: Rs 625 million
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Education: Rs 290 million
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Health: Rs 250.2 million
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Food: Rs 550 million
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Agriculture: Rs 120 million
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Wildlife & Fisheries: Rs 90 million
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Livestock & Dairy: Rs 500 million
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Forests: Rs 5 billion
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Power: Rs 19.58 billion
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Printing Press: Rs 1.2 billion
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Industries: Rs 555 million
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Labour: Rs 6.5 million
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Sericulture: Rs 6.5 million
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Minerals: Rs 1.3 billion
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Tourism: Rs 150 million
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Social Welfare: Rs 200,000
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Religious Affairs: Rs 900 million
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Miscellaneous: Rs 12.64 billion
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Federal Variable Grant: Rs 104.90 billion
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Water Use Charges: Rs 1 billion
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Loans and Advances: Rs 1.2 billion
Expenditure Breakdown:
The total estimated expenditures for FY 2025-26 also amount to Rs 261.20 billion. Key allocations include:
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Services & General Administration: Rs 9.26 billion
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Board of Revenue: Rs 1.98 billion
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Stamps: Rs 482 million
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Relief & Rehabilitation: Rs 2.01 billion
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Pensions: Rs 49 billion
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Public Relations: Rs 431.3 million
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Judiciary: Rs 3.89 billion
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Police & Interior: Rs 11.34 billion
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Prisons: Rs 472.3 million
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Civil Defence: Rs 518.3 million
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Armed Services Board: Rs 132.5 million
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Communication & Works: Rs 6.70 billion
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Education: Rs 52.78 billion
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Health: Rs 26.27 billion
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Sports, Youth & Culture: Rs 1.30 billion
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Livestock & Dairy: Rs 1.18 billion
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Food: Rs 473.7 million
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State Trading: Rs 37.99 billion
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Forests, Wildlife & Fisheries: Rs 2.25 billion
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Cooperatives: Rs 22.4 million
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Energy & Water Resources: Rs 12.92 billion
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Local Government & Rural Development: Rs 1.11 billion
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Industries, Labour & Minerals: Rs 366.9 million
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Printing Press: Rs 1.76 billion
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Sericulture: Rs 1.63 billion
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Tourism & Archaeology: Rs 2.28 billion
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Miscellaneous: Rs 31.38 billion
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Capital Expenditures: Rs 5 billion
Development Budget Highlights:
The development budget of Rs 49 billion has been allocated across various sectors:
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Agriculture & Livestock: Rs 900 million
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Civil Defence/SDMA: Rs 150 million
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Development Authorities: Rs 3.45 billion
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Education: Rs 5 billion
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Environment: Rs 150 million
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Forests & Watershed: Rs 800 million
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Wildlife & Fisheries: Rs 750 million
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Health: Rs 6 billion
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Industries & Minerals: Rs 920 million
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Technical Education & Vocational Training: Rs 280 million
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Governance/Miscellaneous: Rs 2.035 billion
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Transport: Rs 30 million
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Information & Media Development: Rs 200 million
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IT: Rs 800 million
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Local Government & Rural Development: Rs 5 billion
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Physical Planning & Housing: Rs 2.465 billion
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Energy & Water Resources: Rs 4.8 billion
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Research & Development: Rs 1.4 billion
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Land Administration & Management: Rs 1.15 billion
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Social Welfare & Women Development: Rs 300 million
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Sports & Youth: Rs 500 million
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Tourism: Rs 700 million
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Communication & Works: Rs 15 billion
This comprehensive budget sets a new milestone in AJK’s financial planning, aiming for sustained development and fiscal stability in the region.