LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Monday approved all 38 supplementary budget grants worth over Rs554 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, following an intense session marked by fierce debates over development funds and a subsequent walkout by the opposition over “shortage” of speaking time.

The session, which commenced two hours behind its schedule under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, saw a face-off between the treasury and opposition members over regional development allocations, water scarcity, sewage infrastructure and public transit.

During the debate on the supplementary budget, the opposition lawmakers, including Hafiz Farhat Abbas, Zulfiqar Bhatti, Sheikh Imtiaz and Nadeem Qureshi, launched a scathing attack on the treasury benches.

They heavily criticised the government for what they termed an unequal distribution of development funds, alleged corruption and the persistent neglect of south Punjab, particularly Multan.

Defending the government’s performance, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb rejected the opposition’s allegations and highlighted “key milestones” of the administration. She informed the House that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had successfully delivered 170,000 housing units over the last 14 months.

Detailing the province’s infrastructure roadmap, the senior minister announced that 3,000 electric buses would be deployed across Punjab by next year, with the fleet expanding to 5,000 by the end of the government’s tenure.

She added that clean water and sewage projects are actively underway in 86 cities, noting that Rs42 billion has been explicitly allocated to complete clean water projects in south Punjab, alongside the planned installation of wastewater treatment plants in every city.

Aurangzeb also defended the procurement of an aircraft for the chief minister, stating it was essential for “public service efficiency and emergency responses.”

The proceedings faced a brief disruption when the opposition pointed out a lack of quorum. However, the session resumed after the required numbers were met. Tensions flared again over time constraints for speeches, leading the opposition to stage a walkout in protest.

In the opposition’s absence, the House voted on and approved all 38 supplementary budget demands.

Following the passage of the grants, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman announced a four-month honorary salary bonus for the employees of the Punjab Assembly, the Law Department, 90 Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, and other allied departments.

Following the completion of the day’s agenda, Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar adjourned the session to reconvene on Tuesday at 1pm.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026