LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed eight important bills by a majority vote after a session marked by heated exchanges between the treasury and the opposition members over legislation, irrigation issues and farmers’ concerns.

The proceedings, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, began two hours and 26 minutes behind schedule.

During the Question Hour, in which written queries of the lawmakers related to the irrigation department were taken up, treasury member Ahsan Raza Khan expressed his concern over water shortages in the siphon project and the collapse of a canal that reportedly affected thousands of acres of crops.

Responding to the concern, Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada said the siphon project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and measures are being taken to improve water supply.

The speaker observed that the need for the siphon system’s repairs had long been felt and termed its inclusion in the ADP an important step forward.

The House also discussed allegations of illegal occupation of canal land in Dipalpur tehsil of Okara district.

Later, opposition member Ijaz Shafi criticised the government over issues relating to wheat prices, fertiliser costs, diesel prices and agricultural taxation, saying farmers are facing severe hardships.

The assembly then moved to legislative business, where tensions flared during debates on various bills.

Ministers objected to a lengthy speech by opposition lawmaker Imtiaz Sheikh. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman remarked that legislation should follow proper parliamentary procedures.

Speaking on the walled city legislation, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb regretted that the opposition did not fully understand the purpose of the bill, adding that the government was committed to the restoration and development of the walled city of Lahore.

Information Minister Azma Bukhari at one point announced she would leave the chamber rather than continue listening to the lengthy debate, while treasury member Tariq Gill folded his hands in front of the speaker’s dais in an apparent attempt to persuade the opposition member to conclude his speech. It drew laughter from treasury members, as well as Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar, who was in the chair at that time.

The House subsequently approved eight bills, including the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Bill 2026, the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Bill, the Public Sector Medical Universities (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Punjab Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Aga Khan Properties (Succession and Transfer) Bill 2026, through a majority vote.

After completion of the agenda, Channar adjourned the session for an indefinite period.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026