Pakistan spends just 10.4% of Rs1 trillion development budget in four months

Pakistan spent Rs103.876 billion on federal development projects during July–October 2026, the first four months of FY2027. That amounted to 10.4% of the Rs1 trillion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), despite authorisations totalling Rs412.294 billion.

Figures released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives put authorisations at 41.2% of the annual budget. Actual expenditure reached approximately 25.2% of the amount authorised.

The PSDP finances public infrastructure and development projects. Its budget provides Rs312.515 billion for corporations and Rs682.485 billion for ministries and divisions, alongside Rs1 billion for new China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 initiatives and Rs4 billion for project liabilities.

Water Resources led ministries and divisions with Rs90.804 billion authorised from its Rs103.086 billion allocation, but spent Rs18.726 billion. The Cabinet Division spent Rs59.99 million, despite authorisations of Rs60.378 billion against a Rs64.080 billion budget.

Provinces and special areas used Rs23.808 billion, with Rs59.796 billion authorised against an allocation of Rs233.386 billion. Railways spent Rs4.655 billion; its authorisations were Rs14.230 billion and annual allocation Rs40.658 billion.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) used Rs4.715 billion against Rs13.800 billion authorised from its Rs46 billion budget. Federal Education and Professional Training spent Rs6.877 billion, compared with Rs12.709 billion authorised and Rs36.312 billion allocated.

National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination spent Rs6.609 billion against Rs9.639 billion authorised from Rs16.065 billion allocated. Planning, Development and Special Initiatives used Rs2.152 billion, with authorisations of Rs6.788 billion against a Rs22.626 billion budget.

Information Technology and Telecommunication spent Rs1.450 billion against Rs5.874 billion authorised. Its Rs19.580 billion allocation includes Rs9.801 billion in foreign assistance. Interior used Rs714.21 million against Rs6.547 billion authorised, while Housing and Works spent Rs422.90 million against Rs1.918 billion authorised.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) spent Rs13.296 billion against Rs78.580 billion authorised. Its Rs224.515 billion annual budget includes foreign assistance of Rs59.250 billion. Power entities NTDC and PEPCO used Rs15.925 billion against Rs30.800 billion authorised; their Rs88 billion allocation includes Rs76.608 billion in foreign assistance.

Defence spent Rs462.10 million against Rs2.816 billion authorised from a Rs10.903 billion allocation. Revenue used Rs366.61 million, compared with Rs3.471 billion authorised and Rs11.570 billion allocated.

Industries and Production spent Rs649.03 million against Rs2.330 billion authorised. National Food Security and Research used Rs64.94 million against Rs1.352 billion authorised.

Science and Technological Research spent Rs154.89 million against authorisations of Rs1.070 billion. Information and Broadcasting used Rs42.58 million against Rs471.61 million authorised.

Climate Change and Environmental Coordination spent Rs259.19 million against Rs667.22 million authorised. Law and Justice used Rs109.87 million against Rs841.05 million authorised, while Maritime Affairs spent Rs138.72 million against Rs623 million authorised during July–October FY2027.