The Punjab Assembly's budget debate on Saturday produced an unusual political spectacle as both Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar openly endorsed opposition arguments, reinforcing perceptions that the two custodians of the House have increasingly adopted a more neutral approach in conducting Assembly business.
Presiding Officers Side with Opposition
While both presiding officers had valid grounds to restrict opposition lawmakers from making political speeches during a budget debate, they instead ruled that members could discuss political grievances and broader public issues alongside budgetary matters. Their decisions surprised many treasury lawmakers, who watched as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker repeatedly gave greater weight to the opposition's viewpoint during heated proceedings.
The second day of the budget debate in the Punjab Assembly on Saturday was marked by heated exchanges between treasury and opposition lawmakers, repeated interruptions, slogan chanting and sharp political sparring, as the opposition objected to the absence of Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and later defended its right to raise political issues during the budget session.
Finance Minister Absence Sparks Controversy
The controversy began when Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan and other opposition members protested the absence of Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, arguing that the minister responsible for presenting the budget must be present to hear criticism and recommendations from lawmakers. When PML-N Chief Whip Rana Arshad responded that he was taking notes on behalf of the finance minister and that the finance secretary was present in the officials' gallery, opposition members mocked the explanation.
Deputy Speaker Channar sided with the Opposition and ruled that the finance minister should attend the debate. Following his remarks, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman arrived in the House.
Political Issues Raised During Budget Debate
Another dispute emerged after opposition lawmakers used their speeches to raise political issues, including references to PTI founder Imran Khan, the May 9 cases, the November 26 crackdown, taxation measures and governance issues. The finance minister objected, insisting that budget discussions should remain confined to fiscal matters. The opposition lawmakers maintained that elected representatives could not be prevented from discussing political issues in the House.
Deputy Speaker Channar accepted the argument and allowed members to continue. Later on, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also endorsed the opposition's position, observing that the Assembly was inherently a political institution and that political grievances could not be barred merely because the House was debating the budget.
Heated Exchanges Between Treasury and Opposition
The rulings triggered noisy exchanges between treasury and opposition benches. The finance minister warned that the government could respond politically if the opposition continued raising political matters and even hinted at a walkout. He also remarked that if opposition lawmakers displayed pictures of Imran Khan in the House, treasury members could similarly bring portraits of Nawaz Sharif.
Despite the political wrangling, lawmakers also discussed budgetary concerns. Opposition members from South Punjab complained that the region had been neglected in development allocations and reiterated demands for a South Punjab province and other development commitments.
South Punjab Demands and PPP Reservations
Opposition lawmakers Makhdoom Shahabuddin and retired Colonel Shoaib criticised the budget for allegedly neglecting the region and demanded greater development allocations and progress on commitments, including the upgradation of Layyah University and the creation of a South Punjab province. PPP leader Ali Haider Gilani also expressed reservations about the treatment of the party within the coalition arrangement, complaining that PPP's legitimate demands were not being adequately addressed despite its support for the government.
He also remarked that PPP would create a South Punjab province when it came to power. The speaker told him that new provinces should also be made in Sindh. Gilani replied that the Punjab Assembly had passed a resolution for making a South Punjab province but there was no such demand from the Sindh Assembly so far. He observed that if the Sindh Assembly also passed a resolution for a new province, his party would support this demand also.
Unusual Moment with Currency Note
The day's most unusual moment came when treasury member Arshad Malik waved a Rs5,000 currency note on the Assembly floor and suggested that a portrait of Nawaz Sharif should accompany that of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, arguing that the former prime minister's contributions to the country's nuclear and infrastructure development merited national recognition.
Opposition Criticizes Economic Priorities
Speaking during the debate, opposition member Sheikh Imtiaz criticised the government's economic priorities, alleging that taxes had been imposed on infant milk while relief was being extended to the elite. He also termed the seven per cent increase in government employees' salaries inadequate, and questioned the naming of development projects after members of the Sharif family.
Treasury Defends Budget
Treasury members vigorously defended the budget. Malik Nosherwan accused the opposition of focusing more on political controversies than economic matters and described Punjab as a debt-free province. Chaudhry Sher Ali rejected criticism over projects named after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and advocated additional support for farmers, irrigation projects and water reservoirs.
