LAHORE: A stormy sitting of the Punjab Assembly saw exchange of heated arguments over the Punjab government’s purchase of a new “luxury” aircraft, arrests of opposition lawmakers and a flurry of legislative reforms tabled in the House.
The controversy over the provincial government’s newly acquired aircraft took centre stage as Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MPA Shazia Abid questioned whether the Rs11 billion plane would be available for official visits to south Punjab.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari defended the purchase, stating that if PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could use the Sindh government’s aircraft, the Punjab government was equally entitled to use its own plane as it deemed appropriate.
Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi demanded clarity that which budgetary head funded the aircraft purchase and whether it was bought for “Air Punjab” or exclusively for the chief minister. He termed the acquisition of a “luxury” jet unnecessary amid the economic challenges being faced by the country, triggering desk-thumping and sloganeering by other opposition members.
Government Chief Whip Rana Arshad hit back, asking why the opposition was objecting to the plane when chief ministers of other provinces also use official aircraft.
The House also witnessed sharp protests over the alleged arrest of nine opposition MPAs without the speaker’s permission. Opposition members claimed this violated parliamentary norms.
MPA Sardar Sarfraz Dogar alleged he was unlawfully detained for three days and later booked in a “false FIR,” calling it contempt of the assembly. He insisted that members could not be arrested without the speaker’s approval.
Treasury members responded by accusing the opposition of having double standards, referencing past arrests of political figures, including Maryam Nawaz and her father.
Earlier, responding to questions about the Information and Public Relations Department, Minister Azma Bukhari announced plans to purchase a new building,equipped with modern facilities, to consolidate all departmental offices under one roof.
She also addressed concerns over the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation (PJHF), confirming that its office would soon be shifted from a rented building to a commercial space in “Press Club Society.”
On staffing reforms, the minister admitted that past recruitment in her department had been made without merit and announced the launch of a “restructuring drive” this year. “Only necessary positions will be retained; redundant seats will be abolished,” she said, adding that performance reviews would be conducted.
LAW AND ORDER: A general debate on law and order was initiated by Parliamentary Secretary Khalid Mahmood Ranjha, who claimed crime rate had declined across Punjab.
He highlighted a significant reduction in rape cases, recovery of illegal weapons and operations against the gangs in Katcha areas.
Opposition members disputed the government’s claims, alleging political victimisation and suppression.
Several legislative measures were also introduced in the House and all referred to relevant committees for two months. These included the Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026; The Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property (Amendment) Ordinance 2026; Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance 2026; The Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026; the Punjab Waqf, Trust and Cooperative Societies (Monitoring) Bill 2026; The Punjab Sales Tax on Services (Amendment) Bill 2026; and The Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The government also tabled amendments to the Punjab Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965 to align it with the revised minimum wage of Rs40,000. The draft noted that while the minimum wage had been raised, the outdated salary cap of Rs22,000 remained in the law, causing legal and administrative complications.
According to the bill’s text, the proposed amendments would validate social security contributions paid since July 2022 and prevent an estimated Rs24 billion loss to the provincial exchequer. The legislation will be enacted as the Punjab Provincial Employees Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026 after committee review and final approval by the governor.
Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026
