LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly passed a unanimous resolution condemning the Indian occupation of Kashmir and also announced the establishment of the Punjab Life Insurance Company for the provincial government employees, before the house failed to maintain the quorum for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

Presided over by Panel Chairperson Samiullah Khan, the house proceedings again started after a delay of over two hours.

The session witnessed significant legislative and policy updates during the Question Hour. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman informed lawmaker Amjad Ali Javed that the provincial cabinet had approved the establishment of the state-owned life insurance entity – Punjab Life Insurance Company – while the paperwork for its formal registration is underway.

The government expects an immediate client base of one million public sector employees, who will benefit from lower premiums compared to commercial insurers.

Finance minister announces establishment of Punjab Life Insurance Company; Indian Punjab chief minister, speaker invited to Kartarpur

The minister also highlighted the provincial government’s fiscal performance, stating that the Punjab Revenue Authority registered a 38pc surge in tax collection during FY2025-26, advancing the province’s target to collect over Rs1,000 billion for public development initiatives.

The house unanimously adopted a resolution moved by the finance minister, marking Oct 27 as Kashmir Black Day to denounce the Indian subjugation of the region.

In another notable exchange, Minorities Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora extended an open invitation to Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and assembly speaker to visit Pakistan to attend Sikh religious ceremonies, assuring them a warm welcome here and advocating for streamlining the Indian pilgrims’ access through the Kartarpur Corridor.

Despite the heavy legislative agenda, proceedings were abruptly adjourned until 11:30am on Wednesday (today) after an opposition member, Hassan Malik, pointed out the lack of quorum, cutting the session short for the second straight day.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026