Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has lauded Punjab Budget 2025-26 as ‘historic in every respect’, highlighting significant investments and development projects for various sectors.
It includes significant relief and development programs for journalists, artists, and the general public, as well as unprecedented investment across a number of sectors.
“The way this development budget has been presented, it is truly historic,” Bukhari said at a press conference held in Lahore following the budget announcement. No prior administration has made this kind of simultaneous investment in so many different sectors.
She highlighted important projects and declared that journalists and artists will soon receive health cards, a promise that had not yet been fulfilled. The printing of the health cards was still pending. Now, we’ll make sure they get to artists and journalists as soon as possible,” she said.
She also disclosed that a Film City will be built in Punjab and that a Cinema Fund will be established to aid the film industry, indicating a renewed emphasis on advancing the creative and cultural sectors. “Within a few days, we will provide film funding,” she continued.
Bukhari revealed that a Journalist Housing Foundation is being established to provide additional assistance to the media community. A city specifically designed to house artists has also been developed under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Bukhari underlined, “We will do everything possible for the welfare of journalists,” restating the government’s dedication to the media and creative industries.
Punjab has the highest salaries and pensions of any province, according to the information minister. “To the greatest extent possible, we have raised salaries and pensions,” she stated.
