The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday approved over Rs638 billion in grants for five major departments by rejecting all cut motions moved by the Opposition, which had questioned the government's policies and the performance of various sectors.
Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman presented the grants following the conclusion of the general discussion on the 202526 annual budget, which spanned five consecutive days.
The session was presided over by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
The grants passed include Rs200.10 billion for the police, Rs26.53 billion for agriculture, Rs258.97 billion for health services, Rs137.53 billion for education and Rs15.16 billion for public health. The Opposition's attempts to reduce allocations were firmly defeated by the treasury benches, which maintained majority support throughout the proceedings.
During the session, Opposition lawmakers, particularly from the PTI, criticised the police department, accusing it of political victimisation.
They alleged that police had registered fake cases against PTI leaders and failed to perform its primary duties of maintaining law and order.
PTI MPA Sheikh Imtiaz called for urgent police reforms and the depoliticisation of the force, while Ijaz Shafi claimed the police were ineffective and accused them of wasting taxpayer money, asserting that they could not even deal with local outlaws.
On the agriculture front, the Opposition questioned the allocation of Rs26.53 billion, arguing that the sector had been mismanaged and neglected.
PTI's Farhat Abbas alleged that the government had failed to support farmers or even produce quality seeds.
In response, Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah defended the allocation, highlighting several initiatives, including the introduction of a fertiliser act, zoning for early cotton sowing, and provision of tractors to high-yield wheat farmers.
He added that Rs32 billion had been earmarked for water conservation and another Rs30 billion for interest-free loans to purchase agricultural machinery.
He claimed the government had already disbursed Rs80 billion to farmers and intended to increase this to Rs200 billion.
The Opposition also raised concerns over the health sector, citing Pakistan's low global ranking and the growing number of drug addicts and shortage of medical professionals. However, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique rejected these criticisms and detailed several major initiatives undertaken by the government.
He said 100 beds had been allocated for advanced-stage cancer patients at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, while new cardiology hospitals were under construction in Sargodha and Sahiwal.
Burn units were also being established in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, and over 900 medical clinics had been set up in underserved areas.
In the education sector, the government approved a grant of Rs137.53 billion, again brushing aside Opposition objections.
A grant of Rs15.16 billion was also approved for public health, with the government defending its approach to improving services through partnerships and infrastructure upgrades.
In his concluding remarks, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman described the budget as balanced and people-centric, claiming it reflected the aspirations of the common man. He said the government had made difficult but necessary decisions.
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