LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Monday approved 38 supplementary demands for grants totaling over Rs509.7bn for the fiscal year 2024-25, in the absence of the opposition.

The session, which began under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan around four hours late, also saw the passage of a resolution on the International Day of Parliament, presented by PPP Parliamentary Leader Syed Ali Haider Gillani.

Following the completion of the agenda, the session was adjourned indefinitely.

Speaker Khan highlighted the significance of the International Day of Parliament, emphasizing that the assembly operates under aconstitution and rules that derive their sanctity from it.

He stressed that constitutional provisions govern everything from oaths and quorum to the roles of the speaker, deputy speaker and leaders of the house and opposition, as well as the conduct of business.

He condemned the `cacophonous noise` and `abusive behaviour` witnessed in the house, asserting that such conduct undermines the sanctity of the house. He instructed treasury members to table a resolution against the opposition`s conduct.

The treasury MPAs echoed the speaker`s sentiments.

Ahsan Raza praised the speaker`s efforts to strengthen the parliament while Amjad Ali Javed noted the chair`s consistent attempts to engage the opposition, despite their `storm of ill-mannered behaviour`during protests.

Madad Ali Shah emphasized the responsibility to curb the opposition`s misconduct while Salahuddin Khosa claimed that the opposition was responsible for theincarceration ofthe PTIfounder.

Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja presented the supplementary budget of over Rs510bn. According to him, the supplementary budget allocates Rs266.6bn for development expenditures, prioritising public welfare projects over salaries. He specifically mentioned Rs126bn allocation for roads.

The minister also announced a three-month salary bonus for the staff of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat, Law Department, and Chief Minister`s Secretariat.

The approved demands for grants included significant allocations for various departments, such as over Rs46bn for police, Rs2.34bn for excise, Rs172.3m for forests, Rs461.4m for motor vehicle law expenses, Rs492.5m for other taxes and revenues, Rs3.36bn for irrigation and land reclamation, Rs40.39bn for general administration, Rs771.9m for justice system, Rs3.26bn for prisons, Rs16.93bn for health services, Rs13.62bn for public health and Rs4.87bn for agriculture.

Earlier, the resolution on International Day of Parliament highlighted the UN General Assembly`s 2018 approval of the day to enhance relations between parliamentary bodies and their people. It stressed that a robust and representative parliament was essential for the survival of democracy, serving as a centre for legislation, problem-solving, protecting minorities, and policymaking for public benefit.

The resolution lauded Pakistan`s parliamentary journey, which began with the establishment of the first council in Punjab in 1897, and praised the provincial assembly`s role since 1947 in promoting democratic values, effective legislation, and public representation. It concluded by emphasizing that anti-democratic behaviour and intolerance were detrimental to parliaments, urging both the ruling and opposition parties to avoid such conduct.

The treasury lawmakers reiterated these points, with Amjad Ali Javed calling for sacrificing egos for genuine democratic roles. Khalid Mahmood criticized the opposition for allegedly violating the constitution, law, and the sanctity of the house and women.

Rahela Khadim Hussain linked democracy to protecting votes and legislating for national interests while Shoaib Siddiqui recalled the 2022 no-confidence motion against those who attempted to undermine democracy.