Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman presented the Punjab Budget 2026-27 in the Provincial Assembly on Monday, outlining a total budget outlay of Rs5.903 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget session began one hour and 40 minutes behind schedule under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. The proceedings opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Naat, and the national anthem. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif attended the session.
Opposition members staged a protest as soon as they entered the assembly hall and continued chanting slogans during the proceedings. The protest intensified when the finance minister began delivering his budget speech. Opposition lawmakers stood from their seats and gathered near the Speaker’s dais in front of the chief minister.
Presenting the Punjab Budget 2026-27, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said the province was moving forward with a focus on financial discipline and responsible governance. He praised the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, saying she had set a strong example of austerity and prudent management of public resources.
During his speech, the finance minister also welcomed the Iran-US peace agreement, describing it as a positive development for regional and global stability. He said the conflict between the two countries had shaken the foundations of the global economy.
He congratulated the country’s leadership on what he called a diplomatic success and said Pakistan had earned international recognition for its achievements on the global stage.
The minister further stated that the ruling party had helped steer the country away from economic default and expressed confidence in the government’s economic direction as it moves into the new fiscal year.
