PA speaker cautions opposition over 'chaos'

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Sunday warned the Opposition against disrupting the House proceedings, cautioning that continued disorder could lead to constitutional consequences.

Speaking during the fourth day of the general discussion on the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, Speaker Khan reminded lawmakers that assembly rules prohibit interrupting proceedings or displaying placards during the session.

"No member is allowed to speak or argue without the Speaker's permission, and protest slogans or signage inside the House are also barred," he said.

While treasury lawmakers continued to laud the budget presented by the provincial government, Opposition members maintained a harsh critique. Leader of the Opposition Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar and PTI's Farhat Abbas cited the Auditor General's report, which, according to them, highlighted irregularities worth Rs1 trillion across various departments.

Abbas demanded strict action against those responsible for financial mismanagement.

On the treasury side, Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth and Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique defended the budget, citing large-scale development projects.

Minister Bherth announced plans to establish new ring roads and expressways, adding that 12,000 kilometres of roads had already been constructed "with honesty and dedication."

Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said the education budget for universities had been increased six-fold, from Rs3 billion in 2024 to Rs18 billion this year.

He added that ten teachers were sent for training to Scotland and 100 more would follow next year.

"This year alone, 83,000 children have been newly enrolled in schools, and we are working to establish more universities," he said.