Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) recently released its budget for the financial year 2024-2025. Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan presented a budget totaling Rs2.64 trillion during a special assembly session. The budget unanimously approved by the AJK Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar Haq.
Under the supervision of Assembly Speaker Ch Latif Akbar, the session saw active participation from the House Leader, Ch Anwarul Haque. Minister Khan detailed the financial plans, projecting the government to generate Rs2.17 trillion in income against Rs2.2 trillion in expenditures. Development projects will receive Rs44 billion in funding.
Major revenue sources include Rs75 billion from the Inland Revenue Department and Rs170 million from Land Records and Settlements. Allocations comprise Rs450 million for stamp duties and Rs500 million for the AJK Transport Authority. Significant funding also earmarked for the Armed Services Board (Rs400 million), law and order (Rs1.4 billion), and general administration.
These allocations cover essential sectors: Rs240 million for the police, Rs480 million for communications and roads, Rs280 million for education, and a substantial Rs1.7 billion for health services. Agriculture receives Rs400 million, while Rs800 million supports wildlife and fisheries. Livestock and dairy development allocated Rs400 million, and the forestry sector gets Rs450 million.
For infrastructure, Rs15 billion set aside for electricity and Rs400 million for industrial development. The budget also includes Rs100 million for mineral exploration and Rs120 million to boost tourism. Social welfare programs get Rs20 million, and religious affairs allocated Rs700 million.
Miscellaneous government expenses covered with Rs809 million, while federal variable grants allocated Rs1.5 trillion. Water usage charges and loans expected to bring in Rs1 billion each. Services and general administration budgeted at Rs7.86 billion, with Rs1.8 billion for the Board of Revenue and Rs509 million for land records.
Pensions allocated Rs43.14 billion, with Rs400 million for public relations. The judiciary receives Rs3.4 billion, and the police department gets Rs9.84 billion. For jails, Rs365 million allocated, civil defense gets Rs465 million, and Rs1180 million designated for the Armed Services Board.
Education and public works see significant investments, with Rs43.68 billion and Rs6.6 billion, respectively. Health services receive Rs14.95 billion, with Rs200 million for sports, youth, and culture. Religious affairs receive Rs280 million, while Rs874 million set aside for social welfare and women’s development. Agriculture gets Rs1.15 billion, and Rs1.65 billion allocated for livestock and dairy development.
Government employees will benefit from a 25% salary increase and a 15% rise in pensions, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving their financial situation. The budget also supports food services (Rs400 million), state trading (Rs41.62 billion), wildlife and fisheries (Rs1.89 billion), and cooperative development (Rs200 million). Hydro and water projects receive Rs10.81 billion, with local government and village development allocated Rs957 million, and labor and mines development receiving Rs330 million.
AJK Budget 2024-25 Announced: 25% Salary Increase for Employees
 recently released its budget for the financial year 2024-2025. Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan presented a budget totaling Rs2.64 trillion during a special assembly session. The budget unanimously approved by the AJK Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar Haq.){kind=link}