ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Sunday formally began the adoption of the federal budget for 2026-2027, approving 125 demands for grants worth Rs 9.171 trillion. after rejecting 307 austerity proposals from the opposition through a majority vote.
Parliament met with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented demands for grants relating to the National Assembly, the Senate and 31 ministries and departments for approval.
The opposition tabled 307 cut proposals, including 90 against 18 demands from the cabinet department, 116 against six demands from the energy division and 100 against 12 demands from the finance department. All cuts proposals were rejected by the House.
The House approved Rs 1.53 trillion for the Cabinet Division and rejected all 90 cut proposals. It also passed Rs4.262 trillion for the Finance Division and Rs6.61 trillion for the Energy Division, with opposition cutback motions defeated in both cases.
Among other approvals, Parliament approved Rs389 billion for the Climate Change Division, Rs279.9 billion for trade and Rs1.25 trillion for communications. Defense appropriations stood at Rs 3.06723 trillion, while Rs 2.11 billion was approved for the Defense Production Division.
Economic Affairs received Rs150.1 billion, Federal Education and Professional Training Rs1.2126 trillion, and Foreign Affairs Rs681.7 billion. Housing and Works was allocated Rs 223.1 billion, Human Rights Rs 23.3 billion, Industries and Production Rs 295.3 billion and Interior and its allied departments Rs 450.4 billion.
Information and Broadcasting Division received Rs275.7 billion, Information Technology Rs420.7 billion, and Inter-Provincial Coordination Rs50.2 billion. Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan affairs were allocated Rs 31.8 billion, Law and Justice Rs 249.1 billion and maritime affairs Rs 41.2 billion.
The National Assembly received Rs90.3 billion, the Senate Rs32.1 billion and the National Health Services Rs532.8 billion. Parliamentary Affairs was allocated Rs 12 billion, Planning Department Rs 372.1 billion and Privatization Department Rs 17.4 billion.
Railways received Rs1.1113 trillion, Religious Affairs Rs24 billion, Science and Technology Rs197.4 billion and Water Resources Rs1.07 trillion. Separately, the debate on demands worth Rs 1.24286 trillion related to the Interior, National Food Security and Poverty Alleviation departments, along with 280 opposition cut proposals, will continue on Monday.
(WITH ACCESS FROM APP)
