LARKANA: The partner CSO Mehran Welfare Trust Larkana under the Network for Budget Accountability (CNBA), managed by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), organized a critical dialogue on the health and education budget allocations was held.The dialogue focused on analyzing budget trends from 2021-22 to 2024-25, shedding light on infrastructure gaps and regional disparities that continue to challenge these vital sectors.The event highlighted how gradual budget increases have not been sufficient to meet the country’s growing needs, with pronounced inequities across provinces in both the health and education sectors.The analysis revealed that federal health spending, although increased to PKR 56,356 million in 2024-25, constitutes only a small fraction of the overall federal budget, indicating persistent underfunding.Provincial budgets show marked disparities, with Sindh doubling its health allocation since 2021 to PKR 321,712 million and dedicating 64% to public health services. Punjab’s health budget, at PKR 371,806 million, largely targets hospital services, leaving preventive care under funded. KP also demonstrated a notable 197% rise in its development budget by 2023-24, focusing on hospital infrastructure, while Balochistan, with PKR 77,167 million allocated, continues to struggle with infrastructure and service disparities.Pakistan’s shortage of 589,122 hospital beds underscores the urgent need for expanded healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved regions like Balochistan and KP, where per capita health spending remains alarmingly low.In the education sector, federal allocations grew from PKR 145,403 million to PKR 191,650 million, but the bulk of this budget 76% is directed toward tertiary education, leaving primary and secondary education under-resourced. At the provincial level, Sindh’s education budget emerged as a model of balanced distribution, with over PKR 507,576 million allocated, ensuring equitable funding across primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Conversely, Punjab’s budget, though significant at PKR 191,540 million, heavily favors tertiary education, with only 7% allocated to primary education. KP followed a similar pattern, allocating 73% of its PKR 101,271 million budget to tertiary education, while Balochistan demonstrated a progressive shift by increasing its education budget by 218% in 2024-25, focusing significantly on primary and secondary education to address foundational learning needs.The dialogue concluded with key recommendations aimed at addressing the structural funding gaps in both sectors. It was emphasized that Pakistan must increase its health budgets across all levels, prioritize hospital infrastructure, and target funding toward underserved regions to reduce healthcare inequities.Public-private partnerships and a stronger emphasis on preventive healthcare were suggested as critical strategies for enhancing service delivery. In the education sector, rebalancing budget allocations to prioritize primary and secondary education was deemed essential for building a robust educational foundation nationwide. Targeted investments in regions facing significant disparities, such as Balochistan and KP, were recommended to ensure equitable access to education, particularly for girls. The need for expanded Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in rural schools was also highlighted as a crucial step to improve attendance and support student health.These recommendations align with Pakistan’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), addressing these 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.
