LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that the Punjab government鈥檚 decision not to impose a single new tax in the provincial budget is nothing short of a miracle.
She emphasized that instead of introducing new taxes, the government expanded the tax net. She also announced that Punjab鈥檚 domestic debt, which had persisted for the last 30 years, had been reduced to zero.
Addressing the Punjab Assembly, CM Maryam Nawaz said fulfilling the International Monetary Fund鈥檚 (IMF) conditions while meeting the province鈥檚 constitutional responsibilities was no easy task. She remarked that running over 150 development projects and allocating Punjab鈥檚 resources for public welfare made achieving the IMF鈥檚 stringent surplus target extremely challenging鈥攜et her administration succeeded.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that unlike previous governments, her administration did not merely announce projects but also implemented Punjab鈥檚 largest-ever annual cash-backed development program. She revealed that last year鈥檚 Annual Development Program (ADP) was worth Rs. 840 billion, but due to successful project execution and public demand, it was increased to over Rs. 1 trillion. Out of this, Rs. 1.013 trillion had already been spent on public welfare, marking the highest allocation in Punjab鈥檚 development history.
She noted that Punjab鈥檚 fund utilization, previously at Rs. 585 billion, had now reached Rs. 1,100 billion. The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), acknowledging that their support was instrumental in these achievements.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz added that those who once called for the political ouster of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had now been sidelined themselves鈥攏ot by others, but by their own poor performance.
鈥淭hose who chanted 鈥榤inus Nawaz鈥 are now themselves 鈥榤inus.鈥 Even Aleema Khan has acknowledged this,鈥 she said, referring to recent remarks by Khan鈥檚 sister.
Taking a firm stance against her opponents, the CM stated that false promises to South Punjab had long been a political tactic to form and dismantle governments. 鈥淯nlike previous governments, we have moved beyond slogans. We are delivering on our promises,鈥 she declared, announcing the launch of the province鈥檚 largest clean drinking water project, starting in South Punjab.
Her remarks were met with protests and noise from the opposition benches. Responding calmly, she said, 鈥淟et them protest. I respect their democratic right.鈥
Maryam also presented what she termed a 鈥渉istoric鈥 and 鈥渢ax-free鈥 provincial budget of Rs. 5,335 billion, praising Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil for crafting a budget aligned with Nawaz Sharif鈥檚 economic vision.
Referencing military and diplomatic achievements, she congratulated the nation on 鈥渢he victory over India鈥 and commended the armed forces and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their leadership. She also condemned Israel鈥檚 recent strikes on Iran, reaffirming Pakistan鈥檚 commitment to peace and solidarity with the Iranian people.
Maryam Nawaz underscored her administration鈥檚 equitable development efforts, stating, 鈥淓very district鈥攚hether Bhakkar, Layyah, Rajanpur, D.G. Khan, or Rahim Yar Khan鈥攈as the same share in development as Lahore.鈥
She clarified that her competition was not with political rivals but with her own family鈥檚 legacy. 鈥淢y benchmark is Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif鈥擨 aim to surpass their record of public service.鈥
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the Mines and Minerals Department鈥檚 contributions, citing Rs. 30 billion in savings, and noted that public spending had risen by only 3%, including pay and pension increases.
Opposition members in the Punjab Assembly may be barred from entering the premises following their misconduct during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz鈥檚 speech. They created chaos, hurled abusive slogans, and tore copies of the agenda, throwing them toward the Chief Minister and Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
During her address, opposition members attempted to approach the Speaker鈥檚 chair, shouting slogans and disrupting proceedings. Government members intervened to restrain them. Sources indicate the opposition could face entry restrictions due to their actions, including storming the Speaker鈥檚 podium, using inappropriate language, and throwing documents.
It may be recalled that Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan had issued a ruling the previous day outlining a code of conduct for assembly sessions. The ruling prohibits reading books/newspapers or bringing them into the house. It also prohibits passing between a speaking member and the chair.
Additionally, eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking inside the assembly is not allowed. Damaging furniture or electronic equipment is strictly prohibited, and carrying sticks or rods without the Speaker鈥檚 permission is forbidden.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025