In the recently unveiled budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, the federal government has earmarked significant funds for the education and health sectors.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced a budget allocation of Rs 93 billion for education and Rs 27 billion for healthcare.
The budget emphasizes substantial investments in various educational programs, including Rs 25.75 billion allocated to the Federal Ministry of Education and a development budget of Rs 66.31 billion for the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The government plans to upgrade facilities in 166 public schools in Islamabad to ensure students have access to modern educational resources.
Additionally, Minister Aurangzeb announced plans to provide free meals to students in 200 primary schools in Islamabad. An education voucher scheme will be introduced to support underprivileged students attending private schools.
The government also aims to expand the education scholarship program to include one million more children, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 10.4 million.
In the healthcare sector, the budget includes a proposal to construct the Quaid-e-Azam Health Tower at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, as part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and improve medical services for the public.