The government has designated Rs46 billion for the higher education sector in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Friday that Rs3.6 billion will be invested in upgrading the Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN), alongside initiatives to advance artificial intelligence and digital learning.
Notably, approximately Rs22 billion have been allocated to support the Danish Schools system, while Rs7.9 billion is earmarked for the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Programme. Additionally, Rs13 billion is reserved for governance reforms and capacity building efforts within the sector.
In a significant development, Aurangzeb also revealed that Rs144.9 billion will be allocated for regional development, covering Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The finance minister presented Pakistan’s national budget totaling Rs17.5 trillion for the fiscal year 2026–27 in parliament on Friday. The session was marked by loud protests and slogans from opposition members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Addressing the assembly, Aurangzeb stated that the budget was formulated in the wake of Operation Bunyan Marsoos, emphasizing the resilience of Pakistan’s armed forces amid external security threats. He remarked, “Our brave forces responded in a manner that forced the enemy to halt its aggression,” underscoring the importance of maintaining strong defense capabilities for the nation.
Furthermore, he highlighted the growing international recognition of Pakistan’s defense manufacturing sector, noting that domestically produced fighter jets are now attracting global demand.
