LAHORE, Jun 25 (APP): During the budget session of the Punjab Assembly, Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman delivered the closing speech of the debate and announced the approval of grants for five departments amounting to over Rs 636 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26. All opposition motions for grant cuts were rejected by a majority vote.
The session, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, began after a delay of 3 hours and 33 minutes. The Speaker noted that 100 treasury members spoke on the budget for a total of 13 hours and 38 minutes, while 62 opposition members participated in the debate for 12 hours and 23 minutes.
In his concluding remarks, Finance Minister Shuja-ur-Rehman termed the budget “exemplary and balanced,” asserting, it reflects the aspirations of the people. He criticized the opposition for not reviewing the budget documents and accused the opposition leader of prolonging his speech unnecessarily.
Grants were approved for the police, agriculture, health, education, and public health departments.
On the agriculture grant, Provincial Minister Ashiq Karimani stated that millions had received Kisan cards, including people from opposition constituencies. “If the opposition doesn’t like it, they should return the tractors and Kisan cards,” he said.
Responding to criticism on the health grant, Minister Salman Rafique claimed that tangible work in Gujranwala’s health sector had only been done under PML-N governments.
Following the completion of the agenda, the Assembly session was adjourned until 11 a.m. on Thursday.
