Punjab Assembly debates wheat prices, issues faced by farmers

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a heated debate on rising flour prices, wheat stocks, farmers’ issues, sugarcane crushing, alleged fraud in private markets and the non-provision of development funds to opposition constituencies.

During the post-budget general debate, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman presented expenditure figures for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26, revealing that the provincial government had spent Rs833 billion during the period, including Rs589 billion on non-development expenditure.

Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi criticised the absence of government members and ministers, saying flour prices had increased but the government appeared unconcerned about the problems faced by the public.

Responding to questions, Food Minister Salma Butt said the government was monitoring wheat stocks and supplies. More than 1.5 million bags of wheat were arriving in Punjab daily, while the province had over one million metric tons of wheat available to meet requirements for the next five months, she said.

Sardar Owais Dreshak called for the timely commencement of the sugarcane crushing season, warning that delays could affect preparations for the next wheat crop. The food minister said efforts were underway to ensure that crushing started as soon as possible.

Replying to a question by treasury member Amjad Ali Javed, Salma Butt said the government had cancelled the licences of 90 out of 185 markets after receiving complaints of fraud against citizens in the name of private markets.

Government member Rana Ahmed Shehryar highlighted development projects and stressed the need for a metro bus service in Faisalabad. He also defended the initiatives undertaken by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Opposition member Iqbal Khattak, however, complained that his constituency had not received a single rupee in development funds over the past three years. He said the entire constituency was being made to suffer and urged that the concerns of his constituents be conveyed to the chief minister.

The House also took up legislative business, with five ordinances, including the Punjab Vagrancy (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 and the Punjab Alternative Dispute Resolution Ordinance 2026, presented during the session.

The Quranic printing and recording (amendment) bill 2026 and the Dramatic and Theatre Performances Bill 2026 were also introduced, while the Society Registration (Amendment) Bill was passed by a majority vote.

After completing the agenda, the Panel of Chairpersons member Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar adjourned the session until 2pm on Friday.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026