Political issues and budgetary allocations: Govt and opposition trade barbs in Punjab Assembly

LAHORE: A heated exchange erupted in the Punjab Assembly during the general debate on the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 on Friday, as government and opposition members confronted each other over political issues and budgetary allocations. The situation intensified when opposition lawmakers raised the issue of the release of PTI founder, prompting Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and treasury members to stage a walkout from the House. The budget debate began after the assembly session commenced with a delay of one hour and ten minutes. Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi opened the discussion with a strongly critical speech, describing the budget as a publicity-oriented document that failed to address the real concerns of the public. Qureshi alleged that the government had prioritized promoting the ruling family over launching meaningful development projects. He criticized the outsourcing of schools, the government’s handling of farmers’ issues, the wheat policy, and several incomplete development schemes, calling them evidence of administrative failure. The debate took a political turn when the opposition leader demanded release PTI’s imprisoned leadership. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman objected, insisting that discussions should remain focused on the budget. As opposition members continued raising the issue, the finance minister, along with other treasury lawmakers, walked out of the assembly chamber in protest. Later, Provincial Minister for Communications Sohaib Bharth responded to the opposition’s criticism, stating that development work across Punjab was progressing rapidly. He said thousands of kilometers of roads had been constructed and maintained that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s initiatives were setting new standards in public service delivery. The situation normalized in the house after PPP lawmaker Ali Haider Gilani persuaded treasury members to return to the House. Both government and opposition lawmakers then continued participating in the budget debate. Chief Whip Rana Arshad defended the budget, describing it as a reflection of Nawaz Sharif’s vision and Maryam Nawaz’s leadership. He said the Rs5. 9 trillion budget allocated record funding for health, education, farmers, and vulnerable segments of society. Opposition members, however, expressed reservations, arguing that South Punjab and other underdeveloped regions had been neglected. They maintained that several development projects were still awaiting funding and warned that basic civic services in many areas remained in poor condition. The general debate on the Punjab budget is scheduled to continue for the next four days. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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