LAHORE: The second day of the general debate on the Punjab budget was marked by intense protests and heated exchanges in the Punjab Assembly, as opposition members staged a strong protest over the absence of the finance minister. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Arshad Malik called for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s photograph to be featured alongside Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the Rs5,000 currency note.
As the session commenced, Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi strongly criticized the Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman’s absence from the House. Opposition members argued that the budget session is the most important parliamentary forum and the finance minister’s presence is essential to hear and respond to lawmakers’ proposals. Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar endorsed the opposition’s demand, stating that both the finance minister and the chief minister should be present during budget proceedings. However, following the opposition protest, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman arrived in the Assembly.
Lawmakers from South Punjab accused the government of neglecting their region in the provincial budget and reiterated their longstanding demand for a separate province. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Ali Haider Gilani stated that South Punjab would become a separate province once the PPP returns to power.
During the budget debate, opposition member Sheikh Imtiaz launched a sharp criticism of the government, describing the seven percent increase in salaries for government employees as inadequate. He also alleged that the government had imposed taxes on infant milk products. His remarks prompted an objection from Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, leading to a heated exchange of words and slogan-chanting between treasury and opposition members.
Meanwhile PML-N lawmaker Arshad Malik waved a Rs5,000 banknote in the House and proposed that Nawaz Sharif’s photograph should appear alongside that of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Pakistan’s currency. He argued that Nawaz Sharif deserved recognition for making Pakistan a nuclear power and for initiating major development projects across the country.
After completion of the agenda, the Punjab Assembly session was adjourned until 11:00 am on Sunday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments