LAHORE:
The Punjab Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on Monday as the opposition slammed the provincial government’s economic policies and questioned the killing of citizens in alleged police action.
On the other hand, the treasury benches defended the government’s policies and performance, saying Pakistan is now stronger and more peaceful.
On the fourth day of the general debate on the provincial budget, heated exchanges took place as the opposition sought to portray the government as oppressive.
Treasury lawmakers responded to some of the remarks by saying they would not let the opposition use the religion card. Opposition MPs said the budget lacked meaningful relief for people.
They argued that soaring inflation, taxation, unemployment and deteriorating public services were placing an unbearable burden on citizens.
Several PTI lawmakers argued that economic stability was impossible without political stability, insisting that the continued imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan had worsened the political crisis.
Legislators Tayyab Rashid, Hassan Malik, Ghulam Sarwar, Rana Shahbaz and Sardar Muhammad Ali also questioned the government’s economic policies, alleging that the budget had failed to provide any meaningful public assistance and accusing it of neglecting farmers, traders and employees.
They argued that new elections would reflect public sentiments and criticized naming publicly funded projects after political leaders.
The debate became heated when opposition members compared Khan’s political struggle to historical examples of resistance against oppression during speeches given in the context of Muharram.
Information Minister Azma Bokhari objected to the remarks, saying religious figures and events should not be used for political comparisons.
The vice president erased the controversial remarks from the meeting record.
Opposition lawmakers have also repeatedly raised concerns over policing and law enforcement, demanding independent investigations into the killing of a nine-year-old Australian girl during a Crime Control Department (CCD) operation in Chakwal and other incidents involving police. President Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan ordered the provincial law minister to obtain reports on the matter.
Law Minister Rana Iqbal assured the House that he would summon the Inspector General of Police to address the concerns of members.
PTI MP Rana Aftab Ahmed criticized the government’s performance in healthcare, alleging that patients had to wait years for surgery while diagnostic equipment remained unused due to a lack of trained personnel.
He also denounced corruption, abuse of bureaucracy and harassment by law enforcement, saying the government had failed to provide justice, health care and education.
PTI’s Brigadier (Retd) Mushtaq Ahmed urged the government to ensure health facilities and justice for Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, while supporting Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace through diplomacy.
He criticized the government’s reliance on taxation and IMF-backed policies, alleging that Punjab’s development funds disproportionately favored Lahore over other regions. Ministers and lawmakers from the ruling party argued that Punjab had made significant progress despite financial constraints.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said the government had expanded educational opportunities, improved women’s safety, established Danish schools and strengthened infrastructure across the province.
He criticized the performance of the previous PTI government, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement.
Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar highlighted the government’s investment in infrastructure, public healthcare, solarization and youth development, while asserting that Punjab’s governance model was bringing visible improvements in several sectors.
Treasury lawmakers Zakia Shah Nawaz, Ishrat Ashraf, Rana Shahryar Khan and Chaudhry Iftikhar Chhachhar praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for introducing welfare and development initiatives including the Suthra Punjab Scheme, education reforms, road infrastructure and agriculture support schemes.
They also hailed federal leaders including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying Pakistan had earned greater international respect through its diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States.
