The Punjab Assembly on Saturday passed the provincial budget for 2026-27, approving all 131 demands for grants and the Finance Bill. The opposition staged a walkout, alleging it had been denied the opportunity to speak during the approval of budgetary demands and accusing the government of including unapproved development schemes in the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
Heated Exchanges and Walkout
Saturday’s sitting of the budget session witnessed heated exchanges between treasury and opposition members before the opposition walked out, allowing the government to complete the legislative process and secure passage of the budget. The most contentious issue centered on the inclusion of development projects that, according to the opposition, had not received mandatory approval from relevant federal forums.
Senior opposition lawmaker Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan alleged that several development schemes costing more than Rs10 billion had been incorporated into the budget despite lacking approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), which he argued was a legal prerequisite. He criticized the Planning and Development Department for presenting what he termed an incomplete development programme and questioned how unapproved projects had found their way into the budget documents. Calling it a serious procedural lapse, Rana Aftab announced he would challenge the matter before the courts. Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar assured the House he would examine the issue and issue a ruling.
Government Response
Responding to the allegations, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb rejected the opposition’s claims, asserting that the government had, for the first time, presented all approved development schemes transparently in the budget. She acknowledged that around 70 schemes were still awaiting formal approval but maintained they would be cleared through the prescribed process before implementation and subsequently incorporated into the budget.
Defending the government’s broader development agenda, Marriyum Aurangzeb said Punjab’s long-term growth strategy had been finalized and would be unveiled by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif next month. She also accused the opposition of attempting to disrupt proceedings despite having been given ample time to present its views during the budget debate.
Interruptions and Counter-Slogans
“The treasury listened to the opposition for one hour and 18 minutes without interruption. I am only responding to the questions they raised,” she told the House. Her speech was repeatedly interrupted by slogan chanting from the opposition, prompting treasury members to respond with counter-slogans. The atmosphere turned increasingly charged when Information Minister Azma Bokhari waved a wristwatch on the Assembly floor as treasury lawmakers raised ‘watch thief’ slogans at the opposition.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman also condemned slogans directed against PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, reminding members that political parties had agreed during the Business Advisory Committee meeting not to target each other’s leadership. He urged the chair to suspend the membership of opposition lawmakers whom he accused of violating that understanding.
Opposition Protests and Budget Passage
The opposition continued protesting, insisting it had been denied the right to speak during the approval of the demands for grants. Members also pointed out a lack of quorum before eventually staging a walkout from the House. Following the opposition’s departure, the Assembly completed the remaining business without further resistance, approving all 131 demands for grants along with the Finance Bill, thereby formally passing the Punjab Budget 2026-27.
