LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to expedite the approval process for a short-term budget through the provincial assembly.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed the finance department to prepare the necessary documentation for this purpose, according to official sources.
It has been revealed that the Punjab government had previously sanctioned a one-month budget expenditure until March 31 during the last assembly session. However, with the current budget term set to expire soon, there is an urgent need to finalize the budgetary arrangements for the coming months.
Following the completion of the budget preparations, a session of the Punjab Assembly will be convened to deliberate and approve the proposed budget. The Punjab government aims to secure the assembly’s endorsement for the budgetary allocations until June 30, as indicated by sources familiar with the matter.
In light of these developments, preparations are underway to convene a session of the Punjab Assembly in the upcoming week. A special report outlining the budgetary requirements for the next three months will be presented to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for review, according to sources close to the government.
Earlier on February 28, the Punjab Assembly had been adjourned indefinitely after the passage of a resolution for the approval of a one-month budget.
The crucial session was called to approve an interim budget for the upcoming four-month period. This session, convened by Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, also included the approval of supplementary grants on the agenda.
PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb had presented a motion in the House for approval of one-month expenses worth Rs358 billion to be required for March 1 to 31. The resolution was approved amid slogans from both the treasury and opposition benches, following which the session was adjourned indefinitely.
