The Treasury and Opposition benches jointly expressed strong criticism in the Punjab Assembly over alleged irregularities and discrimination in the distribution of government aid to flood-affected people in the province.
PML-N lawmaker Khalid Mahmood drew the House’s attention to what he called “unjust conduct” by local authorities, claiming that impoverished families without land ownership documents have been denied humanitarian assistance. “In my constituency, people who do not own land are being excluded from the financial aid programme,” he said. “These are poor citizens who have suffered losses but cannot afford to buy land.”
Mahmood said local administrations were restricting payments only to registered owners, a policy he described as “deeply unfair and contrary to the spirit of public welfare”. He urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure that the landless and vulnerable are also included in the compensation process.
Responding to their concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman clarified that the Chief Minister had already directed the authorities to compensate the residents of the riverine areas by providing them with alternative land and financial assistance.
“It is not true that only landowners will be compensated,” he said. “Those who lost their homes will receive between 500,000 and 1 million rupees, while people who lost land or livestock will also receive corresponding payment.” Rehman further assured the assembly that he would personally consult the relevant departments and provide an update on the issue.
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Meanwhile, opposition MP Rana Shahbaz alleged that the survey process to identify flood-affected families was being manipulated in his constituency. “Patwaris and tehsildars are favoring certain landowners and excluding others,” he said, adding that people affiliated with the PTI and PPP were being deliberately removed from the lists.
In response, Minister Rehman acknowledged that the survey in some severely affected regions was still incomplete but assured that “compensating checks will be issued as soon as the process is concluded.”
On the other hand, PML-N legislator Ahmed Iqbal highlighted that Punjab faces multiple recurring crises throughout the year, including heat waves, floods, heavy rains and now smog. “These problems did not arise overnight and cannot be solved overnight,” he commented, urging the government to make “rational and long-term” policy decisions.
He also criticized the Department of School Education’s new school start time of 8:45 am, saying it clashes with office hours and worsens traffic congestion. Rehman responded that he would take the matter to the department for reconsideration.
Later, the opposition pointed out the lack of quorum in the House. As the government seats failed to reach the required number, the Samiullah Khan Panel of Presidents adjourned the session till October 28 at 2 pm.
