The National Assembly approved 89 demands for grants worth Rs40.48 trillion through a majority vote, clearing a major stage of the federal budget process and authorising funding for 29 ministries, divisions, and government institutions. The session was chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the allocations before the House.
A significant share of the approved funding went to the defence sector, with more than Rs30.67 trillion allocated through five grants for defence and related expenditures. Lawmakers also approved over Rs2.11 billion for defence production and Rs17 billion for additional defence-related requirements, highlighting the government’s focus on national security and strategic preparedness.
Meanwhile, several development-oriented sectors secured substantial allocations to support public services and infrastructure projects. The House approved more than Rs125 billion for communications, Rs121.26 billion for education and professional training, Rs53.28 billion for national health services, and over Rs42.07 billion for information technology initiatives.
The Assembly also endorsed funding for foreign affairs, climate change, housing, commerce, and economic affairs. These included Rs68.17 billion for the Foreign Affairs Division, Rs3.89 billion for climate change, Rs22.31 billion for housing and works, Rs27.99 billion for commerce, and over Rs15 billion for economic affairs.
In addition, lawmakers approved allocations for governance and institutional operations across several departments. More than Rs24.91 billion was allocated for law and justice, Rs45.04 billion for the Interior Division, Rs4.12 billion for maritime affairs, Rs3.18 billion for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, and Rs5.02 billion for inter-provincial coordination.
Furthermore, the House approved Rs22 billion for atomic energy, Rs2.35 billion for the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Rs25 billion for Pakistan Post, Rs9.03 billion for the National Assembly, Rs3.21 billion for the Senate, and Rs1.74 billion for the Privatisation Division. The approvals collectively pave the way for government spending and development activities during the upcoming fiscal year.