ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed the province’s Rs5.33 trillion tax-free budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, along with the Finance Bill 2025-26, emphasizing development and public welfare without placing any additional tax burden on citizens.
Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said the government had chosen to avoid new taxes and keep the existing tax structure unchanged across all sectors, including health, education, industry, and agriculture.
Major Allocations and Development Priorities
The assembly approved 41 demands for grants worth over Rs431 billion, rejecting eight cut motions by the opposition PTI through majority vote.
Rs120 billion has been allocated for roads and bridges, while Rs462 billion will go to pensioners.
Health will receive Rs258 billion, and education Rs137 billion.
The police department has been given Rs200 billion, and Rs27 billion will be spent on jail administration. An additional Rs1 billion will be used for civil defence.
In support of the agriculture sector, the government allocated Rs26 billion for farmer welfare and over Rs66 billion for agri-loans.
Rs37.96 billion will be directed toward irrigation, Rs18.22 billion for industrial development, and Rs161 billion for government buildings.
Other notable allocations include Rs19 billion for veterinary services and Rs1.6 billion for fisheries.
Legislative Activity and Session Highlights
Four important bills were tabled, including the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Bill 2025, Urban Immovable Property Tax Amendment Bill 2025, Essential Commodities Price Control Amendment Bill 2025, and Punjab Labour Courts Bill 2025.
These bills were referred to standing committees with a two-month report deadline.
During the session, MPA Munawar Ghous strongly condemned what he called an “illegal raid” by the CCD police.
He described the arrest and public humiliation of a former councillor as unconstitutional, prompting the speaker to demand a formal inquiry.
Finance Minister Rehman assured that the matter would be investigated promptly.
Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan also called for urgent disarmament efforts, citing rising incidents of violence and fear.
Minister Rehman responded that CM Maryam Nawaz was already actively pursuing policies to curb the gun culture in Punjab.
