Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess (Amendment) Bill 2026 passed

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session, which began 55 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday, witnessed significant legislative activity as the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed by a majority vote. The bill was presented by Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, while all opposition amendments were rejected.

The session, presided over by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, opened with prayers for martyred Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Hussain. During proceedings, the Speaker expressed strong concern over the monthly salary of Zakat and Ushr department employees, which amounts to just twenty thousand two hundred and forty rupees. He described the pay as a violation of human rights, questioning how anyone could survive on such little income.

The matter was referred to the Zakat and Ushr Committee for a detailed review in the next session. Member of the Assembly Tahir Pervez raised the issue of funds not being disbursed to deserving citizens for two years and suggested dedicated financial support for underprivileged university students, a proposal the Speaker welcomed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026