By Asim Shehzad
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Sunday approved the Finance Bill and 131 budget grants amid heated exchanges between treasury and opposition members, with the latter staging a walkout before the voting process was completed.
The session witnessed intense sloganeering and protests as the opposition criticised the government’s conduct and demanded more time to speak during the budget proceedings. Despite the disruption, the treasury benches completed the approval process after opposition lawmakers left the House.
Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Chanar, who presided over the session, paid tribute to the Punjab government, law enforcement agencies and other institutions for maintaining peace and security during Muharram.
Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb defended the provincial government’s performance, highlighting security arrangements for Ashura and progress on development initiatives. She said the government had successfully implemented comprehensive security measures, including the deployment of more than 124,000 security personnel across Punjab.
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According to the minister, modern surveillance technologies, including thermal drones, QR code monitoring systems and Safe City cameras, were used for the first time to ensure foolproof security during Muharram processions and gatherings.
Maryam Aurangzeb also said the provincial government had launched 437 development schemes, of which more than 340 had already received approval.
During the session, opposition member Rana Shehbaz criticised the lack of development projects in Jhang, prompting a verbal exchange with the treasury benches. Members from both sides later attempted to calm the situation as tensions escalated.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman urged the deputy speaker to take action against opposition members for what he described as inappropriate remarks against the political leadership. He also demanded the suspension of lawmakers involved in sloganeering, claiming that such action was in line with decisions taken by the Business Advisory Committee.
The opposition initially protested over not being given sufficient time to speak, later pointed out a lack of quorum and eventually boycotted the proceedings before walking out of the House.
Following the opposition’s exit, the treasury completed the budget approval process, passing the Finance Bill along with all remaining demands for grants.
After the agenda was completed, Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Chanar adjourned the Punjab Assembly session until 1:00 pm on Sunday.
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