Pakistan’s Finance Division has issued provisional Indicative Budget Ceilings (IBCs) for fiscal year 2026–27, outlining expected spending limits for employee-related expenditures (ERE) and non-employee-related expenditures (Non-ERE) across federal ministries, divisions, and constitutional bodies. The early budget framework reflects strong emphasis on defence, security operations, revenue administration, and essential social services as the government prepares for the upcoming fiscal cycle.
Under the provisional projections, the Combined Civil Armed Forces emerge as the largest allocation holder, receiving an IBC of Rs279.12 billion. This includes Rs200.2 billion for employee-related costs and Rs78.85 billion for operational and non-employee expenditures, underscoring the continued prioritization of internal security and paramilitary forces. The Federal Board of Revenue follows with a significant provisional ceiling of Rs83.61 billion, reflecting the central role of revenue collection and tax administration in fiscal stability efforts.
The Defence Division itself has been assigned an IBC of Rs13.21 billion, while the Intelligence Bureau Division is projected to receive Rs19.56 billion. Security-related institutions continue to command notable allocations, with the Airports Security Force provisionally set at Rs17.63 billion and the Interior and Narcotics Control Division at Rs20.17 billion. The Atomic Energy sector is projected to receive Rs20.456 billion, indicating sustained funding for strategic and scientific operations.
On the economic and commercial front, the Commerce Division has been allocated Rs12.259 billion, while the Pakistan Post Office Department has been given a sizable provisional ceiling of Rs24.854 billion, highlighting its expanding operational footprint in logistics, government services, and digital financial facilitation.
Civil sector allocations also show strong emphasis on education, health, and social protection. The Federal Education and Professional Training Division has been provisionally assigned Rs34.75 billion, aimed at supporting national education policies, institutions, and reforms. The Higher Education Commission, however, has received a comparatively smaller IBC of Rs1.42 billion. In healthcare, the National Health Services Division stands out with a projected allocation of Rs32.69 billion, signaling continued government focus on public health infrastructure and service delivery.
Social safety net programmes remain part of the fiscal framework, with the Benazir Income Support Programme provisionally allocated Rs6.57 billion, while Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal is projected to receive Rs4.26 billion to support vulnerable populations.
In governance and accountability, the National Accountability Bureau has been given an IBC of Rs7.55 billion, while the Law and Justice Division is projected to receive Rs10.80 billion, covering judicial administration, legal reforms, and institutional operations.
Parliamentary bodies are also reflected prominently in the provisional ceilings, with the National Assembly allocated Rs16.67 billion and the Senate Rs9.25 billion, covering legislative operations and administrative functions.
The international presence of Pakistan is accounted for with substantial provisional funding, as Foreign Missions abroad have been allocated Rs59.71 billion, while the Foreign Affairs Division itself is projected at Rs4.61 billion to manage diplomatic engagements and overseas policy operations.
The issuance of provisional IBCs marks an early step in the federal budget formulation process, setting financial boundaries for ministries before detailed budget proposals are finalized. These ceilings are expected to guide departments in preparing expenditure plans aligned with national fiscal priorities, economic stability goals, and administrative reforms for FY27.
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