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ISLAMABAD, Jun 24 (APP): The National Assembly on Tuesday approved Rs81.45 billion in grants for the Cabinet Division to meet expenditure during the financial year ending on 30th June, 2026, rejecting over 225 cut motions submitted by opposition members.
Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the grant requests in the House.
The demands for grants included for the , emergency relief and repatriation, atomic energy, Pakistan nuclear regulatory authority, Naya Pakistan housing development authority, prime minister’s office (Internal), prime minister’s office (public), national disaster management authority, board of investment, prime minister’s inspection commission, special technology zone authority, national anti-money laundering and counter financing terrorism authority, cannabis control and regulatory authority, establishment division, federal public service commission, federal public service commission, national school of public policy, civil services academy, national security division, council of common interest, (secretariat, special investment facilitation council division (SIFCD), intelligence bureau division, development expenditure of cabinet division, development expenditure of board of investment, development expenditure of special technology zones authority division, development expenditure of establishment division and capital outlay on development of atomic energy.
While windup the debate on the cut motion moved the members of the opposition, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Fazal Chaudhary said that the size of the federal cabinet is well within the constitutional limit, and the country’s economy is showing signs of improvement.
He rejected all motions moved by the opposition and defended the performance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet.
Dr. Fazal explained that under Article 92(1) of the Constitution, the federal cabinet cannot exceed 11% of the total National Assembly membership. “The current cabinet has 42 members, which is four less than the allowed limit of 46,” he said.
He said that when the present government took office, Pakistan was facing a severe economic crisis and risked default. “Today, economic indicators are stable, and key sectors are recovering,” he stated.
Dr. Fazal credited the government with reviving the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), introducing tax reforms, and promoting investment in sectors such as energy and agriculture. “The energy sector has undergone major reforms, and initiatives in agriculture are effectively addressing long-standing challenges,” he added.
He also highlighted progress in the minerals and mining sectors, saying Pakistan has untapped resources worth trillions of dollars. “The government is working with international partners to explore and develop these resources for national growth,” he said.
Dr. Fazal praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, calling the armed forces’ response to recent threats a source of national pride. “Our military has proven its strength both regionally and globally,” he said.
He said that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has played a major role in attracting billions of dollars in foreign investment. “The SIFC was created to remove hurdles in investment and ensure timely project implementation,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Fazal said the authority is now fully operational across all provinces. “There is proper leadership and coordination at both federal and provincial levels,” he said, adding that the NDMA’s work has earned praise from global partners.
On the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said the federal government is actively implementing programs focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and climate action. “We are working in line with international standards and expanding outreach to all provinces,” he said.
Regarding the stalled Naya Pakistan Housing Program, Dr. Fazal said five projects initiated under the previous government remain incomplete. “Not a single one was finished during the PTI government. We are now working to resume and complete them,” he said.
He also explained that the Cabinet Division is responsible for civil awards, which are given based on merit in fields like science, education, literature, and social work.
On tourism, Dr. Fazal acknowledged that it is a provincial subject but said the federal government is taking steps to promote it nationwide. “Tourism has increased recently, and we are committed to improving services for local and international visitors,” he added.