ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly approved sixty-nine demands for grants for various ministries and departments for the upcoming financial year on Tuesday, in a session that saw all opposition cut motions rejected. The grants, proposed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, cover sectors ranging from climate change to national security.

The approved grants span different governmental bodies, including the Climate Change Ministry, Pakistan Post, and the Defense Production Division, among others. Notably, no cut motions were filed on these particular demands for grants.

In a separate move, the House gave the nod to twenty-seven demands for grants related to the Cabinet Division. Despite the opposition’s efforts to challenge these grants through cut motions, the proposals were ultimately dismissed. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry defended the Cabinet’s size, asserting it is within constitutional limits, and emphasized governmental efforts to bolster tourism.

Two additional demands for grants concerning the Commerce Division were also approved. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s export achievements, noting a milestone of 30.3 billion dollars and a significant export volume of basmati rice, outpacing competition from India.

Defense Division received approval for five demands for grants, with opposition cut motions again being overridden. The Power and Petroleum Divisions, along with the Geological Survey of Pakistan, also saw their six grants approved. Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari reported progress in reducing load-shedding and curtailing power company losses.

He assured that a comprehensive policy is underway to address the issue of circular debt. The session concluded with the announcement that the Assembly would reconvene on Wednesday morning.