LAHORE: The Punjab Provincial Assembly convened a session in the provincial capital where legislators deliberated on several crucial legal documents and legislative proposals.
The gathering witnessed the approval of ordinance extensions alongside the introduction of fresh legislation for parliamentary consideration.
The assembly proceedings commenced with the examination of an extension request for the Provincial Motor Vehicles Fourth Amendment Ordinance 2025. This ordinance, which was originally promulgated on November 25, secured parliamentary approval for an additional ninety-day extension.
Following a similar pattern, the Suthra Punjab Authority Ordinance 2025, which had been issued on November 27, likewise received legislative endorsement for a further ninety-day period.
The session saw the introduction of multiple legislative bills before the house. Among these was the Punjab Protected Areas Amendment Bill 2026, which was formally presented to the assembly. The Forests Amendment Bill 2026 also made its way to the floor, addressing matters concerning the protection and management of forest resources throughout the province. In a significant development for the educational landscape, legislators were presented with the Chenab University of Science and Technology Rahim Yar Khan Bill 2026, marking an important initiative in the advancement of higher education infrastructure.
Environmental protection and wildlife conservation emerged as key legislative priorities during the session. The Punjab Wildlife Protection, Conservation and Management Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced before the house, having been formulated to safeguard the survival and protection of wildlife species across the province. Complementing this environmental focus, the Punjab Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2026 also came under parliamentary scrutiny.
Addressing security considerations, the Punjab High Security Zones Establishment Bill 2026, introduced in the House. The bill has been drafted to enhance protective measures around sensitive locations throughout the province. In the realm of urban development, the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency Amendment Bill 2026 was also tabled during the proceedings.
The most notable development of the session came with the passage of a government resolution concerning the establishment of the Pothohar Water Board, which secured approval through a majority vote. The Punjab Provincial Assembly formally committed to bringing the establishment of the Pothohar Water Board into legal effect through comprehensive legislation. The resolution text explicitly specified that any proposed legislation must remain compatible with the provisions of the Water and Sanitation Authority Punjab 2025.
The resolution further outlined that WASA Rawalpindi currently operates under the framework of the aforementioned legislation and the Canal and Drainage Punjab Act 2023. In a parallel arrangement, the Irrigation Department likewise fulfils its mandate in accordance with the provisions of this statutory framework. The resolution established that the Government of Punjab would maintain a controlling interest of at least fifty-one percent in the Board of Governors of the Pothohar Water Board, thereby ensuring that the provincial government retains complete supervisory control over the institution.
The Punjab Assembly session had commenced under the stewardship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan following a delay that extended beyond three hours. During the question hour segment, government legislator Malik Arshad raised concerns regarding alleged favouritism in the allocation of minority cards, highlighting that assembly members were being excluded from consultation in the distribution process. He voiced apprehension over these procedural irregularities and stressed the imperative for transparency in such administrative matters. Pakistan Peoples Party assembly member Narges Faiz addressed the house, stating that minority communities in Rawalpindi received no financial assistance on the occasion of Christmas, a situation she characterized as deeply unfortunate.
Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the urgent necessity of addressing minority issues with appropriate seriousness. He drew particular attention to the challenge of cemetery provision and advocated for the development of a permanent resolution to prevent minorities from encountering further hardships in this domain.
The Minister for Minority Affairs responded by informing the assembly that a training program had been launched targeting minority youth, with sustained efforts underway to enhance their representation in various sectors.
During the course of the session, Peoples Party member Mumtaz Chang extended recognition to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Crime Control Department for their success in improving law and order conditions in the Kacha region. He affirmed that peace had been successfully restored in Kacha, with the area now progressing toward developmental objectives. Mumtaz Chang additionally announced his willingness to contribute land without cost should the government decide to establish a university in the region.
Nevertheless, opposition members voiced strong protests regarding the absence of the Finance Secretary at the commencement of pre-budget deliberations. In response to these objections from the opposition benches, the pre-budget debate was deferred until Wednesday. The Panel of Chairperson Malik Arshad subsequently announced the adjournment of the session until two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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