By Ijaz Kakakhel

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's Human Resource Management Department is projected to receive a 21% budget hike over the next three years. Funding will rise from Rs16.873 billion in 2026–27 to Rs20.416 billion in 2028–29, according to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The rising allocation under the Medium-Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF) 2026-27 to 2028-29 signals a stronger policy focus on improving governance, strengthening administrative capacity, and building a more capable, accountable and responsive civil service.

The largest share of funding targets improved governance and institutional capacity, the central pillar of the reform program. This allocation will increase from Rs14.857 billion in 2026-27 to Rs17.978 billion in 2028-29.

The allocation for this area accounts for nearly 88% of the total departmental forecast in both 2026-27 and 2028-29, highlighting that governance reform remains the core priority.

Within this category, the funding for policy formulation, implementation and administrative services is expected to rise from Rs7.413 billion in 2026-27 to Rs8.970 billion in 2028-29. This increase is significant because better policy design and implementation are essential for improving government performance, reducing delays and ensuring that public institutions respond more effectively to citizens’ needs.

Similarly, allocations for effective support services to ministers, advisers, special assistants to the chief minister and civil servants are forecast to grow from Rs7.444 billion in 2026-27 to Rs9.007 billion in 2028-29. This shows that the government is also focusing on strengthening the administrative machinery that supports decision-making at senior levels.

The document also places emphasis on creating a capable, accountable, and responsive civil service. Funding for this area is projected to rise from Rs1.270 billion in 2026-27 to Rs1.537 billion in 2028-29. This allocation is linked to the establishment of human resource management policies and systems, which can help improve career planning, performance management, and service delivery.

The reform agenda also includes retraining the bureaucracy to meet new challenges, introducing minimum tenures for senior civil service posts, protecting public servants from political interference, and ensuring time-bound provision of services to citizens.

Meanwhile, funding for a transparent and corruption-free government is expected to rise from Rs744.942 billion in 2026-27 to Rs901.395 billion in 2028-29. This allocation supports the implementation of the Ehtisab Commission Act and Conflict of Interest Bill, indicating continued attention to accountability and integrity in government operations.

Credit: INP-WealthPk