LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has announced that the upcoming provincial budget will be tax-free, with no new taxes imposed on the public. She also confirmed that preparations for local government elections are complete and the polls will be held soon.
Speaking to Dunya News, Bokhari said the chief minister has rejected all proposed taxes and prioritized relief for the people. She added that the salaries and pensions of government employees have also been increased in the new budget.
The minister strongly criticized the previous administration for abolishing local government systems. She noted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always upheld democratic values by conducting such elections whenever in power.
Highlighting development plans, she said the Punjab government will carry out road and infrastructure work in 64 cities. Additionally, around 1,800 villages will be upgraded to model villages, making them comparable to small cities.
Moreover, Bokhari shared that the chief minister holds two meetings every week to monitor food prices. Even during Eid-ul-Azha, the government ensured that no unfair price hikes were allowed.
She concluded by saying that while no other province has a solid mechanism to control essential item prices, Punjab has created a dedicated department for this task. The chief minister is following a strict zero-tolerance policy against inflation.