A one-day workshop was organized in Timergara district Lower Dir under the auspices of CDPI (Center for Peace and Development Initiatives) on the budget allocated for health and education in Pakistan. Various stakeholders from different walks of life participated. The workshop was addressed by CDPI Provincial Coordinator Shams-ul-Hadi and District Coordinator ProGrowth Arshad Abidali. They shared insights on the collaborative efforts of ProGrowth, a civic society organization (CSO), and the Citizens’ Network for Budget Accountability (CNBA) operated under the CDPI in Islamabad.This dialogue, held on December 8 in Lower Dir, analyzed budgetary trends from 2021-22 to 2024-25, shedding light on structural weaknesses and regional disparities in health and education. The event emphasized that the incremental increases in budgets remain insufficient to meet the growing demands of the country, with stark disparities between provinces in both sectors.The analysis revealed that despite federal health expenditure reaching PKR 56,356 million in 2024-25, it constitutes only a small portion of the total federal budget, highlighting persistent underfunding. Provincial budgets showed significant disparities: Sindh doubled its health budget since 2021 to PKR 321,712 million, allocating 64% to public health services, while Punjab’s health budget, at PKR 371,806 million, focused predominantly on hospital services, leaving preventive care underfunded. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa exhibited a remarkable 197% increase in its development budget by 2023-24, focusing on hospital infrastructure, whereas Balochistan, with an allocation of PKR 77,167 million, struggled with infrastructure and service gaps. Pakistan faces a shortfall of 589,122 hospital beds, underscoring the urgent need to expand healthcare facilities, particularly in resource-constrained areas like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where per capita health expenditure remains alarmingly low.
In education, the federal allocation increased from PKR 145,403 million to PKR 191,650 million, but 76% of this is directed toward higher education, leaving primary and secondary education under-resourced. At the provincial level, Sindh emerged as a model of balanced allocation, dedicating over PKR 507,576 million equitably across primary, secondary, and higher education. Conversely, Punjab’s budget, although significant at PKR 191,540 million, largely prioritized higher education, with only 7% allocated to primary education. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed a similar trend, dedicating 73% of its PKR 101,271 million budget to higher education, while Balochistan increased its education budget by 218% in 2024-25, focusing significantly on primary and secondary education to meet basic educational needs.The dialogue concluded with key recommendations to address structural fiscal gaps in both sectors. It was emphasized that Pakistan must increase health budgets at all levels, prioritize hospital infrastructure, and target funding toward under-resourced areas to reduce healthcare inequalities. Public-private partnerships and a greater focus on preventive healthcare were suggested as critical strategies to enhance service delivery.
In the education sector, rebalancing budget allocations was deemed essential to prioritize primary and secondary education for a strong educational foundation across the country. Targeted investments were recommended to ensure equitable educational access in underserved areas like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Expanding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in rural schools was highlighted as a key step to improving attendance and student health.These recommendations align with Pakistan’s commitments to sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). By addressing critical gaps in funding and infrastructure, Pakistan can move closer to achieving equitable access to healthcare and education, fostering inclusive socio-economic development, and improving the overall quality of life for its citizens. The event concluded with a questions and answers session addressing participants queries.
