Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet Approves Rs218 Billion Budget, Sets Minimum Wage at Rs44,000
Mian Nadeem | Published September 15, 2026 | 06:36 PM
The Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet has approved the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, raising the minimum wage from Rs40,000 to Rs44,000. The total budget was set at Rs218 billion, with Rs23 billion allocated for development and Rs28 billion for non-development expenditures.
The Federal government’s stabilization package has also been included in the budget. A significant decision was taken to cut non-development allocations for all departments by up to 30 percent.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain emphasized that the social sector remains the core focus of the budget despite limited resources. He highlighted initiatives to:
- Create employment opportunities for young people and women.
- Allocate substantial funds for health, education, and agriculture.
The budget includes:
- An increase in the minimum wage from Rs40,000 to Rs44,000 in government and private institutions.
- An additional Rs170 million allocated for medicine purchases.
- A major boost to the Health Endowment Fund and scholarships for talented students.
- Rs50 million allocated for water management, promoting the agriculture sector.
For the first time, Rs1 billion was allocated for social protection in Gilgit-Baltistan. A proposal for a Rs4 billion endowment fund for the social sector was also made.
The cabinet decided to:
- Purchase hybrid vehicles for government departments.
- Auction old government vehicles with high fuel consumption.
- Reduce throw-forward to accelerate development.
It was emphasized that government and opposition members in Gilgit-Baltistan would receive equal development funds, ensuring fair distribution of resources and equal development. Transparency was also directed in the PC-I and tendering stages of development projects, assuring genuine expenditure on projects.
