LAHORE – Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman has claimed that the government plans to construct an IT City in the province, as well as launch an air ambulance service and the Punjab Education Programme.
While presenting financial plans to the Punjab Assembly on Monday, the minister stated that the journey of growth had begun anew in Punjab, where merit and transparency would be guaranteed.
He promised to ensure the people’s well-being and to bring help to the impoverished. “Today, I will offer our government’s first people-friendly budget. We have established leadership that has provided a fresh concept of service to the cabinet and bureaucracy.”
The minister emphasized that the provincial government would serve as an example of effective governance in Punjab.
He stated that the Ramazan Relief Package was being delivered to the doorsteps of underprivileged segments of society, with an allocation of Rs30 billion for the package.
Rehman stated that the price control system had been activated, and a zero-tolerance policy was being implemented against hoarding and profiteering.
The finance minister announced that the whole budget volume for the fiscal year 2023-24 was Rs4,480.700 billion, with an estimated revenue collection of Rs3,331.700 billion. He noted that under the NFC Award, Punjab would earn Rs2,706.400 billion.
Rehman proposed the establishment of an IT city in Punjab at a cost of Rs10 billion to promote IT, as well as the launch of the air ambulance service soon.
Rehman revealed that the Punjab Education Programme was starting at a cost of Rs2 billion.
The minister confirmed that all facilities for farmers would be offered under one roof, with no new taxes levied.
During the budget speech, the opposition raised a disturbance, tore up budget papers, dismissed the budget as ‘false,’ and screamed slogans like “fake government”.
During his budget statement, the finance minister placed a photo of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on his desk, while opposition members, led by Rana Aftab, surrounded the speaker’s dais and screamed anti-budget slogans.
