By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, while addressing the Punjab Assembly, announced that the province’s total budget for the current year stands at Rs. 5,335 billion, with Rs. 1,240 billion allocated for the development sector.
He stated that the government has ensured a budget surplus in line with IMF requirements, while the supplementary budget alone exceeds Rs. 510 billion.
The minister highlighted that Rs. 266.6 billion have been earmarked for development expenditures, with a focus on prioritizing development projects over administrative expenses. A significant portion—Rs. 126 billion—has been directed toward the construction and improvement of roads. He emphasized that Punjab’s Rs. 1,013 billion budget aims to promote a sustainable economy, discourage wasteful spending, and launch public welfare initiatives. He stressed the need for a rapid, socially just budget for the province.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution recognizing International Democracy Day. The resolution, tabled by PPP Parliamentary Leader Syed Ali Haider Gilani, noted that the United Nations General Assembly approved the observance of this day in 2018 to encourage parliamentary institutions worldwide to strengthen ties with their constituents.
The resolution emphasized that the survival and strength of democracy rely on inclusive representation and robust parliamentary institutions. It called on both ruling and opposition parties to refrain from unparliamentary and undemocratic conduct and uphold the sanctity of the House through constructive debate and expression of opinion.
It further highlighted that the 18th Amendment and the Charter of Democracy, passed with bipartisan consensus, fortified democratic values in the country. However, the resolution warned that non-parliamentary forces are attempting to undermine and paralyze the functioning of Parliament, urging collective action to defend democratic integrity.
