Challenge ahead as Hamza Shahbaz govt to present Punjab budget today

A tumultuous session of the Punjab Assembly is likely to be held today under the chair of Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi with the agenda items including the provincial budget 2022-23 and debate on blasphemous remarks delivered by India’s BJP leaders against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Punjab’s budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 will be presented today. The outlay of the budget is estimated at Rs3,226 billion. On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz, provincial minister Awais Leghari will present the provincial budget.

Due to the non-appointment of the Punjab finance minister, Awais Leghari is to take up matters related to finance today and a notification has also been issued in this regard.

No new tax is being levied in the budget, according to PML-N sources, there is a possibility of 15% increase in salaries and a 5% increase in pensions of government employees. Rs683.50 billion will be allocated in the budget for development works.

The budget is likely to provide a Rs200 billion subsidy on flour, ghee and sugar. The budget proposes to re-launch the laptop scheme and provide solar devices to low-income people. In the budget for the next financial year, Rs58.50 billion will be allocated for development projects.

The Punjab budget proposes to set aside Rs15 billion for water supply systems and tube wells. Rs45 billion has been earmarked in the budget for public-private partnership projects.

In the budget, Rs2.40 billion has been allocated for population welfare programs. The budget proposes the allocation of Rs5 billion for energy projects while Rs19 billion will be allocated to the local governments.

On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) have decided to give a tough time to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) during the budget session.

They decided to submit a resolution against blasphemous remarks delivered by India’s ruling party BJP and lodge a strong protest in the assembly.

PTI and PML-Q also decided to ensure the attendance to make it difficult for the ruling PML-N pass an anti-people budget, whereas, the opposition parties are also expected to submit movements against the budgetary cuts.