LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Saturday approved the FY2026–27 provincial budget amid strong protests from the opposition. The House also passed the Finance Bill and approved 131 demands for grants.
At the outset of the session, Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, who chaired the proceedings, commended the Punjab government, police, Rangers, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and other relevant institutions for maintaining peace and security during Muharram.
The House witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches during the approval of budgetary grants. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb strongly defended the government’s performance, arrangements for Ashura, and ongoing development initiatives, while opposition members staged protests, raised slogans, and criticised the government’s conduct.
READ MORE: Punjab Assembly approves Rs270.53bn in demands for grants
Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House after alleging they were not given an opportunity to speak. Following the walkout, the Assembly approved all 131 demands for grants and the Finance Bill.
Addressing the House, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the arrangements for Ashura should not be politicised. She stated that 124,000 security personnel were deployed across the province, while thermal drones, QR code monitoring, Safe City surveillance cameras, and other advanced technologies were used for the first time to ensure comprehensive security.
She further said the government had launched 437 development schemes, of which more than 340 have already been approved. Work is progressing rapidly on projects related to infrastructure development, environmental protection, climate change, smog control, forestry, clean drinking water, South Punjab, and public welfare. She also criticised the opposition, claiming its members had neither read the budget nor examined the facts.
During her speech, opposition members stood from their seats and continuously chanted slogans, creating a tense atmosphere in the House.
Treasury lawmakers responded with counter-slogans, while Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, and other government members waved wristwatches and chanted slogans against the opposition.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman urged the Deputy Speaker to suspend opposition members who, he alleged, had used inappropriate language and raised slogans against the government leadership. He said the Business Advisory Committee had previously agreed that no remarks would be made against parliamentary leadership.
The opposition first protested, then pointed out a lack of quorum, and eventually boycotted the proceedings by walking out during the approval of the budgetary grants. The government, however, continued with the proceedings and completed the passage of the budget.
The Punjab Assembly ultimately approved all 131 demands for grants along with the Finance Bill, formally passing the FY2026–27 provincial budget. After completing the agenda, the session was adjourned until Monday at 11:00am.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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