PPP threatens budget disruption
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has issued a warning to the government, cautioning that if they are continuously pushed against the wall, they will retaliate at the federal level, making it difficult for the government to pass its upcoming budget.
Monday proved to be a turbulent day for the Punjab Assembly, where the provincial government faced intense criticism not only from its allied lawmakers but also from its own members.
Meanwhile, the opposition staged a walkout in protest against the denial of permission to meet PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan, and the registration of FIRs against their lawmakers.
During the session, PPP lawmaker Mumtaz Ali Khan Chaang expressed frustration over environmental degradation, lamenting that no forests were left in his area and that authorities were reluctant to take action against those responsible for illegal deforestation.
He also criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), claiming that despite providing substantial evidence against corrupt individuals, no action had been taken.
He further alleged that in Rahim Yar Khan, law enforcement officers, including the District Police Officer (DPO), were involved in fabricating cases against innocent citizens, creating criminals rather than curbing crime. Chaang also took aim at critics of PTI leaders, questioning how those who failed to improve the lives of the poor could now face the public after the end of their regime.
In response, Punjab's Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, assured PPP lawmakers that their grievances were respected. He highlighted that PPP had been given a fair share in the government, including the presidency and key positions in Punjab.
Defending the government's efforts in law enforcement, he credited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for equipping police and allocating billions in funds to restore law and order in the Kacha area, which was once considered a no-go zone.
He noted that nine new police pickets had been established, 47 operations conducted, and 430 individuals protected from abduction and honey trap schemes, with several high-profile criminals arrested over the past five months.
Meanwhile, PML-N MPA Amjad Ali Javed criticized government departments for submitting incorrect information.
During the question-answer session on forestry, wildlife, and fisheries, he pointed out discrepancies in official reports, revealing that while seven forests previously existed in his constituency, only three remain.
He accused officers of presenting misleading data for over a year.
Parliamentary Secretary Kanwal Liaquat assured that any errors identified would be addressed, but Javed insisted that the larger issue was the systematic submission of false information to the House.
Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer also joined the chorus of concerns, questioning why departmental action had not been initiated against forest department officials caught in tree theft cases, despite evidence of their involvement.
Women's Day tribute
On a separate note, lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches honoured the contributions of women in strengthening the country and democracy.
They paid tribute to women's sacrifices, emphasizing that their struggles and achievements must never be forgotten. Following the completion of the day's agenda, the panel of chairmen adjourned the House until March 11 at 11:00am.